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IOC denies deal on internet curbs IOC denies deal on internet curbs
(30 minutes later)
Olympic organisers have denied agreeing to curbs on internet access for foreign journalists at the Beijing Games, due to begin next week.Olympic organisers have denied agreeing to curbs on internet access for foreign journalists at the Beijing Games, due to begin next week.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said there had been "no deal to accept restrictions".International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said there had been "no deal to accept restrictions".
A number of politically sensitive websites were blocked earlier this week, and some senior Olympic officials said they had been aware of it.A number of politically sensitive websites were blocked earlier this week, and some senior Olympic officials said they had been aware of it.
China had promised that foreign media would be given unfettered access.China had promised that foreign media would be given unfettered access.
Leading members of the IOC have been keen to know why the politically sensitive websites were blocked.Leading members of the IOC have been keen to know why the politically sensitive websites were blocked.
Access restrictions appear to have been eased in recent days, but the clamour was only slightly dampened by a rare press conference given by Chinese President Hu Jintao.Access restrictions appear to have been eased in recent days, but the clamour was only slightly dampened by a rare press conference given by Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Mr Hu appealed to the international media not to "politicise" the Beijing Games Mr Hu appealed to the international media not to "politicise" the Beijing Games.
Other major concerns have been about air quality and doping. In his press conference, Mr Rogge also gave high praise to the organisation of the Beijing Games.
Banned
Other major concerns before next week have been about air quality and doping.
The IOC's Kevin Gosper says a team will ensure websites are uncensored.The IOC's Kevin Gosper says a team will ensure websites are uncensored.
On Saturday, the IOC stripped gold medals form the US 4x400m men's relay team won at the Sydney Games in 2000, after sprinter Antonio Pettigrew admitted in June that he used banned substances between 1997 and 2003.On Saturday, the IOC stripped gold medals form the US 4x400m men's relay team won at the Sydney Games in 2000, after sprinter Antonio Pettigrew admitted in June that he used banned substances between 1997 and 2003.
The IOC was going to discuss whether to allow Greek athlete Katerina Thanou to compete at the Games, but it now seems a final decision has been delayed until next Thursday.The IOC was going to discuss whether to allow Greek athlete Katerina Thanou to compete at the Games, but it now seems a final decision has been delayed until next Thursday.
The sprinter pulled out of the Athens Olympics in 2004 after failing to report for a drugs test.The sprinter pulled out of the Athens Olympics in 2004 after failing to report for a drugs test.
She was banned for two years after missing her third test, but is now in Greece's athletic team for this year's Games and has threatened to sue Mr Rogge if she is barred from Beijing.She was banned for two years after missing her third test, but is now in Greece's athletic team for this year's Games and has threatened to sue Mr Rogge if she is barred from Beijing.
The matter is muddied by the reallocation of the medals won by Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney after she admitted using drugs.The matter is muddied by the reallocation of the medals won by Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney after she admitted using drugs.
We do have fallback plans if all of a sudden [the air quality] deteriorates to the point where the health and safety of our athletes might be in jeopardy Steve RoushUS Olympic team Reynolds' China: PredictionsBeijing pollution: Facts and figuresWe do have fallback plans if all of a sudden [the air quality] deteriorates to the point where the health and safety of our athletes might be in jeopardy Steve RoushUS Olympic team Reynolds' China: PredictionsBeijing pollution: Facts and figures
Katerina Thanou came second to the US sprinter in Sydney, and theoretically would be in line to be promoted to gold after Jones returned her three gold and two bronze medals.Katerina Thanou came second to the US sprinter in Sydney, and theoretically would be in line to be promoted to gold after Jones returned her three gold and two bronze medals.
And athletics sources have told the BBC that seven Russian athletes at the centre of doping allegations were targeted after testers became suspicious of their unfailing punctuality at out-of-competition tests.And athletics sources have told the BBC that seven Russian athletes at the centre of doping allegations were targeted after testers became suspicious of their unfailing punctuality at out-of-competition tests.
Air pollution remains a big problem.Air pollution 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 US team, said he was monitoring the situation and was optimistic.Steve Roush, head of sports performance with the US team, said he was monitoring the situation and was 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."