The International Olympic Committee has received assurances from Beijing Olympic organizers regarding Internet access and live television broadcasts during the Games, and efforts to deal with the capital's noxious air pollution.
With the Games beginning in four months, the IOC inspectors _ know as the coordination commission _ completed their final official meetings on Thursday with Beijing organizers.
The meetings came as organizations with grievances against China's government _ pro-Tibet activists, human rights lobbies and groups trying to lobby China's over its relationship with Sudan and the war in Darfur _ step up their use of the Games to pressure China.
"The Games are being drawn into issues that do not have necessarily a link with the operations side of the games," said Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the inspection team. "It's the truth. We are all aware the international community is discussing these topics."
Verbruggen gave an impassioned defense of the IOC, saying it's a sporting body that should avoid taking sides on political issues.
"There is a very thick, fat red line between the two," Verbruggen said of politics and sports.
"You have in front of you a very stout defender for the rule that the IOC should not be involved in politics, nor that the IOC should speak out on political issues," Verbruggen added, calling boycotts in the 1980s "a nightmare."
Scattered calls have been made for boycotts _ or a partial boycott of the opening ceremonies _ with a few athletes suggesting they might speak out during the games.
Verbruggen and Kevan Gosper, coordinating commission vice chairman, said they had received assurances that Internet censorship would be lifted for about 30,000 accredited and non-accredited journalists expected to report on the games.
"I don't anticipate there will be any constraint," Gosper said. "They are international journalists. They have visas to come into the country. They should have free access to the Internet. We've pressed that. We've got agreement."
"If there is constraint or difficulty at games times, we'll move on it. We expect the government to honor their commitment."
Gosper said he expected the unhindered access to begin "a week or two" before the games and continue until a few days after.
Chinese citizens' access to some Web sites and blogs is routinely blocked by the government _ a practice it has stepped up since rioting broke out last month in Tibet. Gosper said the open access would not apply to China's 1.3 billion people.
"This is a matter for the Chinese government," Gosper added.
Verbruggen said all rights-holding broadcasters would receive live television feeds and would be free to use them as they wish. Broadcasters had been lobbying against reported plans by Chinese officials to bar live television broadcasts from iconic spots like Tiananmen Square.
China routinely uses 30-second to one-minute delays to control broadcasts on state-run TV. The Olympic torch lighting ceremony last month in Greece was disrupted by a protester who ran up behind a top Chinese official giving a speech. The image seen around the world was never shown on state TV in China.
Monday's torch arrival in Tiananmen Square was also broadcast on a delay, though heavy security prevented any disruptions.
"There will be a live feed and it's up to every broadcaster to do whatever he wants to do," Verbruggen said. "The feed will be live."
"There will be cameras, standup cameras at Tiananmen Square."
Wang Wei, the executive vice president and general secretary of the organizing committee, echoed Verbruggen.
"I can confirm what Mr. Verbruggen just said. ... No delay."
Wang, speaking on a day when human rights activist Hu Jia was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail on subversion charges, said people in China "enjoy great freedom of speech. People can comment on and criticize the government's work."
"We have made huge progress in human rights in the last three decades."
Verbruggen repeated that outdoor endurance events of more than an hour could present a small health risk to athletes. IOC President Jacques Rogge began saying seven months ago that events would be postponed if the air quality were poor.
Felli Gilbert, the IOC Games executive director, said officials hoped to use sophisticated weather forecasts to move events forward _ or back _ if weather or pollution was threatening.
Haile Gebrselassie, the world's greatest distance runner, has said he will not run the men's marathon because of health concerns over pollution and Beijing hot, humid summers.
Last month the IOC's top medical officer said Beijing's air quality was better than expected. A study approved by the IOC showed there were risks to athletes in outdoor endurance events and conditions may be less than ideal during the Aug. 8-24 period.
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