International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board member Zhenliag He told Western journalists this week that “everything is related, I would say. We certainly want to win the 2008 Olympic Games”.
He was referring to the fact that 40 of China’s athletes have been left at home because of drug-related problems.
TO-Bid’s John Bitove said it was great for sport. “What does it do for their 2008 bid? All I can tell you is we’ve taken nothing for granted. We know Beijing is a formidable opponent and we’re still planning to stay one step ahead.”
And Carol Anne Letheren, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Association and an IOC member said the Chinese actions haven’t gone unnoticed. She said of the doping question “no question that’s been an issue for China”.
