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IOC to review Olympic readiness IOC to review Olympic readiness
(about 2 hours later)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting opens on Saturday with air pollution, internet censorship and doping high on the agenda.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting opens on Saturday with air pollution, internet censorship and doping high on the agenda.
The build-up to the opening of the Games next Friday has been clouded by a number of controversial issues.The build-up to the opening of the Games next Friday has been clouded by a number of controversial issues.
President Jacques Rogge arrived in Beijing with his work complicated by a row over restricted internet access.President Jacques Rogge arrived in Beijing with his work complicated by a row over restricted internet access.
Now a formerly banned Greek athlete has threatened to sue the IOC is she is not allowed to compete. Now a formerly banned Greek athlete has threatened to sue the IOC if she is not allowed to compete.
Leading members of the IOC which make up the IOC's Executive Board will want to know why some politically sensitive websites were blocked despite a promise that foreign reporters would be given complete access to the web.Leading members of the IOC which make up the IOC's Executive Board will want to know why some politically sensitive websites were blocked despite a promise that foreign reporters would be given complete access to the web.
Air pollution also remains a big problem.Air pollution also remains a big problem.
The Chinese authorities have been working on improving the dirty air that hangs over Beijing but athletes remain concerned.The Chinese authorities have been working on improving the dirty air that hangs over Beijing but athletes remain concerned.
Steve Roush, head of sports performance with the United States team, said he is monitoring the situation and is optimistic.Steve Roush, head of sports performance with the United States team, said he is monitoring the situation and is optimistic.
"We do have fallback plans if all of a sudden it deteriorates to the point where the health and safety of our athletes might be in jeopardy," he said."We do have fallback plans if all of a sudden it deteriorates to the point where the health and safety of our athletes might be in jeopardy," he said.
"But I don't think that if the air quality was at that level that the IOC would even allow for the competition to take place.""But I don't think that if the air quality was at that level that the IOC would even allow for the competition to take place."
Doping scandalsMs Thanou's lawyer has threatened to sue if she is not allowed to competeDoping scandalsMs Thanou's lawyer has threatened to sue if she is not allowed to compete
The IOC was going to discuss whether to allow Katerina Thanou to compete at the Games, but it seems a final decision has been delayed until next Thursday.The IOC was going to discuss whether to allow Katerina Thanou to compete at the Games, but it seems a final decision has been delayed until next Thursday.
She was one of two Greek sprinters involved in a drug scandal that completely dominated the start of the 2004 Olympics in Athens.She was one of two Greek sprinters involved in a drug scandal that completely dominated the start of the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
She withdrew from those Games and has since served a two year doping ban given to her by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAFF).She withdrew from those Games and has since served a two year doping ban given to her by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAFF).
But the IOC has reserved the right to consider her eligibility for these Games.But the IOC has reserved the right to consider her eligibility for these Games.
Ms Thanou's lawyer has threatened to sue the IOC if she is barred from competing.Ms Thanou's lawyer has threatened to sue the IOC if she is barred from competing.
The matter is muddied by the reallocation of the medals won by Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.The matter is muddied by the reallocation of the medals won by Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
The American athlete has returned her three gold and two bronze medals after admitting she had been taking banned substances.The American athlete has returned her three gold and two bronze medals after admitting she had been taking banned substances.
One of her titles came in the 100m and the IOC must decide whether to promote the second placed runner instead - and that is Katerina Thanou.One of her titles came in the 100m and the IOC must decide whether to promote the second placed runner instead - and that is Katerina Thanou.