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IOC denies deal on internet curbs IOC denies deal on internet curbs
(29 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 official have denied agreeing to curbs on internet access for foreign journalists covering the Beijing Games.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said there had been "no deal to accept restrictions". Reporters found a number of politically sensitive websites 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. But International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said there had been "no deal to accept restrictions".
China had promised that foreign media would be given unfettered access. He also praised China's organisation of the Games, which open next week.
Leading members of the IOC have been keen to know why the politically sensitive websites were blocked. Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Mr Rogge hailed the "excellent organisation" of the Games, saying the Olympic village was the best he had ever seen.
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. However, he went on to say that the IOC required journalists "to have the fullest possible access to report on the Olympic Games".
Mr Hu appealed to the international media not to "politicise" the Beijing Games.
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.
"I am adamant in saying there has been no deal whatsoever to accept restrictions," he added.
China had promised that foreign media would be given unfettered access.
On Wednesday, IOC press commission chairman Kevan Gosper said he had been advised that some IOC officials "had negotiated with the Chinese that some sensitive sites would be blocked" at Olympic venues.
China enforces tough internet controls, and Chinese President Hu Jintao has appealed to the international media not to "politicise" the Beijing Games.
However, access restrictions appear to have been eased in recent days.
Mr Rogge said on Saturday that he was pleased that journalists could now visit the BBC Mandarin website, Wikipedia and a number of websites for human rights groups.
Some other sensitive sites are reported to remain unavailable.
Drug bans
Other major concerns in the week before the Games begin have been about air quality and doping.
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. 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jamesreynolds/">Reynolds' China: Predictions class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7498198.stm">Beijing pollution: Facts and figures
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 at the earliest.
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. Air pollution remains a big worry, although the skies over Beijing on Saturday were clear.
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 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.
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.
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."