Ebru News | IOC Will Not Meddle in Politics or Torch Rout

IOC Will Not Meddle in Politics or Torch Rout

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said the organization would not push China to resolve the turmoil in Tibet and there would be no change in Beijing's plans to take the Olympic torch through Tibet.

11
Apr
2008

(Ebru News/AP) International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said the organization would not push China to resolve the turmoil in Tibet and there would be no change in Beijing's plans to take the Olympic torch through Tibet. The flame is scheduled to be taken to the top of Mount Everest in May and return in June to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa.

Jacques Rogge, IOC President:
"We have agreed to a route for the torch that goes through Tibet, and this is a position that the International Olympic Committee has confirmed yesterday."

The relay has been plagued by anti-China protests in London, Paris, and San Francisco.

Despite that, Rogge downplayed the prospect of world leaders skipping or boycotting the opening ceremony in a show of protest against China's policies.

Jacques Rogge, IOC President:
"Even that (a boycott of the opening ceremony in Beijing) would not harm the quality and the success of the Games, for the Games are about the athletes."
There has been no push for a sports boycott.

Rogge met on Wednesday with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, but declined to give details, other than describing the talks as "very useful ... frank and open and candid."

Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Friday he believes that the 2008 Beijing Olympic games will gain the support of "all the governments and their people."

On Saturday, Hu will attend an economic forum in nearby resort of Boao, an annual Chinese government-sponsored event bringing together leading business people and world leaders.

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