Bolivia ratified its decision to host the 8th South American Games in 2006, sources of the Bolivian Olympic Committee (COB) said Tuesday.

The Executive Committee of the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) announced the decision to withdraw the right of Bolivia to organize the games as a consequence of the popular demonstrations at El Alto and La Paz last June.

Protests led to the resignation of then president Carlos Mesa and the appointment of Eduardo Rodriguez as acting head of State.

COB said that on the eve it sent a letter to the Chilean Olympic Committee on the decision taken by the ODESUR Executive Committee to appoint Chile as the new venue.

Bolivia said its "position is firm" to carry on with the games at La Paz.

Source: Xinhua