TAINTED WORLD

Daily Mail, 01-nov-2010: The Miss World contest was mired in controversy today amid claims that the hot favourite was frozen out because of a diplomatic feud. American teenager Alexandria Mills was crowned the winner of the 60th anniversary beauty contest on Saturday. But the 18-year-old Miss USA’s celebrations were tainted by claims that her biggest rival, Miss Norway, was cheated out of the title by the competition’s Chinese hosts.

Katrine Sorland, a Norwegian TV personality who came fourth in Miss World 2002, said she believed China’s fury at the Nobel Peace Prize committee had influenced the outcome.

‘I was sure she would win,’ she said. ‘They must have mixed politics and business. Without jumping to conclusions I would stress that Miss World competitions have always been political. And the relations between China and Norway are very strained at the moment.’

Miss Birkedal herself was more cautious on whether she had been cheated of the crown.

‘I have been very careful with speculating about that myself,’ she said.

‘It is kind of stupid to start thinking that if this or that had not occurred I would perhaps have been Miss World 2010. I do believe everything happens out of a reason.’

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