The Olympics is facing a crisis, but Beijing remains on track to stage a successful Games, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge said Thursday.
"It is a crisis. There is no doubt about that," Rogge said at a joint conference held by the IOC and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Beijing.
But there have been many crises over the years, such as the events in Munich in 1972 and the boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Games, he said.
"The history of the Olympic Games is littered with challenges. This is a challenge, but you cannot compare to what we have had in the past," he said.
He also told the 205 ANOC members to "go back to your countries and reassure your athletes that whatever they might have seen or heard, the Games will be very well organized".
"This is going to be their Games and they will enjoy it," Rogge said.
"Tell them not to lose faith in the Olympic movement. Tell them we will rebound from this crisis. Tell them they are going to set an example and the world will be watching The Beijing Games will be remarkably well organized. Athletes will encounter conditions that they probably have never enjoyed."
Despite the disruptions to the torch relay, the IOC had no plans to cancel it, he said.
"This scenario is definitely not on the agenda," Rogge told reporters when asked whether the possibility of cutting short the relay would be discussed at an IOC board meeting held in Beijing later Thursday and today.
A debriefing session will be held after the Beijing Games to discuss the torch relay, and as for whether it might be cancelled in the future, "all options are open", he said.
While acknowledging people's right to express their opinions, the IOC chief said he hoped there would be no demonstrations at Olympic venues.
"We ask there are no demonstrations at Olympic venues for the very good and simple reason that we have 205 countries and territories represented, many of whom are in conflict, and the Games are not the place to take political or religious stances," Rogge said.
