We will bounce back, say Olympic Games leaders

Published on Thursday 10 April 2008 22:12

THE International Olympic Committee yesterday insisted the Games would rebound from its "crisis" following fresh chaos along the torch route.

The IOC president, Jacques Rogge, was speaking after more confusion and demonstrations in San Francisco as the torch relay continued on its much disrupted progress to Beijing.

Demonstrators have targeted the procession, which takes in 20 countries on its 85,000-mile journey to this summer's Games, to highlight China's human rights abuses in Tibet.

But the Olympic organisers yesterday received welcome support from the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama.

Mr Rogge assured athletes of a successful Olympics. He said: "Tell them whatever they have seen and heard, the Games will be very well-organised. We will rebound from this crisis."

But Mr Rogge urged China to respect its "moral engagement" to improve human rights.

China said it hoped the IOC would steer clear of what it called "irrelevant political factors". The foreign ministry spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, said: "I hope IOC officials can eliminate all kinds of disturbance and continue to adhere to principles of the Olympic charter."

The Dalai Lama said China deserved to host the Games, but protesters had the right to express themselves in non-violent ways. "I support China hosting the most famous world games," he said.

But members of the European Parliament called on EU leaders to boycott the Games if dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama did not resume.

Organisers of the San Francisco event switched the torch's route at the last minute in an attempt to head off more of the protests which overshadowed the London and Paris legs. The latest event passed off with relatively few problems. The relay is today scheduled to continue in Buenos Aires, Argentina.