The Telegraph reports that cartoons printed in a Danish newspaper which has sparked outrage in the Muslim world has overshadowed a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the election of the city who will host the 2009 IOC Congress for which seven cities, including Copenhagen, are bidding.
At the very important 2009 Congress, IOC President Jacques Rogge could seek re-election and there will also be a vote on which city will host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
The IOC session starting in Turin Wednesday has to choose between the seven cities and until the Muslim protests worldwide many had considered Copenhagen the frontrunner.
But according to the Telegraph there is the feeling that the protests have put the IOC in a difficult position. If members vote for Copenhagen it could be seen as a defiant message to the Muslim world, but if they go against Copenhagen it could look like capitulation.
Rogge insists that the vote would have no relation to the international situation. “We are speaking of a sporting session in 2009 and it will not have an impact. If Copenhagen wins it will be from membership that is absolutely universal form 70 countries”.
According to the newspaper Copenhagen’s supporters are despondent and there was talk of how Copenhagen may not have enough hotel beds. The chances for Singapore where a session was held last year are now being raised.
