CRI听力：Georgia and Russian Athletes to Continue Competition Despite Military Conflict

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that athletes from Georgia and Russia will continue to compete in the Beijing Olympic Games, despite the escalating military confrontations between the two nations in South Ossetia.

IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies says Georgian sports officials, including its Olympic Committee chairman and sports minister, have visited IOC president Jacques Rogge and confirmed they will continue to participate in the Games.(Www.hxen.net)

 

"This continuation of their participation confirmed today very much reflects the Olympic spirit and the values of the Games.

The IOC believes this is the right decision for the athletes who trained very hard for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Davies says the IOC had also been in touch with the Russian Olympic Committee to confirm its participation in the Games.

Davies also says that it will not be necessary to take additional security measures to prevent possible conflicts when athletes from Georgia and Russia face each other in competition.

 

"They are here to compete and show respect and friendship from athlete to athlete. We have no reason to have any concern about that."