International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has shrugged off the controversy created by Steven Spielberg’s withdrawal as the Beijing Games' artistic advisor. Rogge said the IOC is "a sporting, not a political, association."
He told broadcaster France 24 in Paris on Friday that the IOC was not out to play a political role and that he did not fear a boycott of the Olympics.
"I do not fear a boycott because most statesmen know well that boycotts only punish those boycotting" an event, he said.
He warned athletes that they would be punished if they tried to use the Games as a political stage, and said "one should not call on the IOC to solve the world's problems."
Spielberg withdrew as the Games' artistic advisor on Wednesday, citing concerns over the violence in Darfur and linking it to China's ties with Sudan.
In response, Rogge said: "Spielberg's absence will not harm the quality of the Games. The Beijing Games are much stronger than individuals."
China said on Thursday that linking the Darfur issue to the Games is against the Olympic spirit, which separates sports from politics, and would not solve the problem in the Sudan region.
Some athletes, too, have insisted that the Olympics should be free of politics. Athletes are looking forward to competition, not politics, at the Beijing Games, Jamaica's Usain Bolt said at a promotional event on Friday.
"I didn't know a lot about that," Bolt said, referring to Spielberg's decision to quit.
"But I think for the athletes this is mainly about working hard and getting to the Olympics. And we really look forward to it."
The 21-year-old Jamaican lost to the US’s Tyson Gay in the men's 200m at last year's world championships, but he is expecting a gold in Beijing.
Justine Henin echoed Bolt, saying: "Politics and sports must remain separate."
The world's top tennis player said on Tuesday: "Athletes must be focused on their job, which is sport which is our passion. We all hope to bring joy to the people watching the Games. Winning in Athens gave me so much pleasure. The Olympics is very high for me in 2008."
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
