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OLYMPIA, Greece: Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympics Committee, said Monday he saw no sign of international support for a boycott of the Beijing Games over the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.
"The major political leaders don't want a boycott," said Rogge, ahead of Monday's ceremony at the site of the ancient games, when the Olympic torch is to be lit. "There is no momentum for a boycott."
"Bush doesn't want a boycott, Sarkozy doesn't want a boycott, Brown doesn't want a boycott," Rogge said, referring to President George W. Bush of the United States, Nicolas Sarkozy of France and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Officials from different activist groups across the world have drawn up plans with the goal of galvanising opposition to China's record on Tibet, human rights, religious freedom and other issues in the run-up to the August Beijing Games.
Referring to suggestions the relay of the Olympic torch -- due to travel across a number of countries and pass over Mount Everest and Tibet in early May -- might be hijacked, Rogge said: "Of course it's a concern.
"I would hope that potential protesters will understand that public opinion would not want the torch relay painted by political protests. It would be counterproductive."
Already, Thai environmental activist Narisa Chakrabongse, chosen to carry the Olympic torch when it crosses over the kingdom next month, has declined in protest against Beijing's crackdown.
"I want to send a strong message to China that its actions are not accepted by the world community and China should urgently review its policy toward Tibet," Narisa said in a statement released over the weekend.
Other protest options under consideration include an all-out Olympic boycott, a more targeted boycott of the opening ceremony alone or of Olympic sponsors, specific protests by activists or even by athletes themselves.
"I respect the judgment of the human rights organisations but they are not representative of their countries," Rogge said on Monday. - AFP/ac
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