Plane Collision Will Not Influence Beijing's Olympic Bid: IOC Vice PresidentAnita DeFrantz, vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recently told newsmen at Denver that US spy plane's mid-air bumping into China's jet fighter will not influence Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.In her speech, DeFrantz pointed out that she believes the collision incident will be ended in a satisfactory way. There are still seven years to go for holding the 2008 Olympic Games, we should be calm anyway, said DeFrantz. DeFrantz appeared to be enraged when questioned about the mid-air collision by US journalists during an IOC telephone meeting. She expreseed firmly that she is opposed to link sports with politics. She recalled her disappointment as a rower when Carter administration declared to boycott the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980 and emphasized the government should not fool the athletes who are busy preparing for the coming games just for political reasons. Presently, the 48-year-old former IOC vice president is bidding for IOC presidency. DeFrantz said, "in 1976, I joined the Montreal Olympic Games in Canada. When I walked into the Olympic Games Village, I deeply realized the connotation of mutual respect and understanding of the spirit of Olympic Games. I hope one day I will be able to take the lead of the Olympic Games to make this dream become true." By PD Online staff member Du Minghua |
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