Twelve crying babies vie with each other for the honours in a novel contest which includes a crawling race, milk drinking contest -- and a diaper changing marathon.

The little tots, all between the ages of eight months and a year and a half, are participating in the annual Baby olympics sponsored by five international airlines and a travel agency -- Air India, International, Civil Air Transport (China), Pan American Airways, Thai Airways, World Wide Travel Ltd., and Japan Airlines.

The babies are chosen from each of the five airlines.

Chief judge of the contest is Mrs. Shigeko Rigashikuni, eldest daughter of Emperor Hirohito. Other judges are the wives of the Ambassadors of Nationalist China, Thailand, India and the U.S.A.

All babies participating in the three-event competition will receive a year's supply of a unique pacifier from the United States called Babyrok. The company manufacturing the new type of nipple will also give a special award to the baby winning the milk-drinking contest.