Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) President Mounir Sabet on Thursday expressed his support for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, saying that he is opposed to any boycott of the Games or attempts to mix sports with politics.
In an interview with Xinhua, Sabet said some countries are trying to use the Olympics as a weapon to achieve their political objectives, which goes against the spirit of the Olympic movement.
"Olympics is for the athletes and the aim of the Olympic Games is to achieve the values of the Olympic movement by making friends and respecting each other," he said.
Speaking of recent incidents in China's Tibet autonomous region and those disturbing the global Olympic torch relay, the Egyptian sports official said he is opposed to such acts.
"Neither such incidents nor a boycott of the Games will help solve the Tibet issue," he said, adding that: "There are many other peaceful ways to express their points of view and solve the issue."
Sabet said he is confident that the Chinese government will solve the issue well.
The EOC president praised Beijing for its preparations for the Games. "The whole world is looking forward to the opening ceremony of the Games," he said.
Sabet added that the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG) had been successful in choosing the most qualified volunteers and staff for the Games.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian team is busy getting ready for the upcoming Games.
According to Sabet, 85 Egyptian athletes in 17 events have so far qualified for the Beijing Games. He added that more athletes are expected to qualify before the Games open in August.
He expressed hope that Egypt will win more medals in Beijing than in Athens.
Egypt won five medals in the 2004 Athens Games -- a gold, a silver and three bronzes.
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2008)