AOC says sports to decide about Beijing ceremony
Updated
The Australian Olympic Committee says it wants to minimise potential anxiety by getting individual sports organisations to resolve their positions on marching in the Beijing opening ceremony before the team gets to the olympic village.
The AOC says it won't be forcing sports organisations to allow its athletes to march in the Beijing opening ceremony.
However, it has written to all the national sport federations urging them to sort the matter out.
Athletes competing in the first week normally don't march, but sports like athletics, equestrian and sailing are concerned about travel times taking days out of preparations.
There is also the vexed issue of air pollution and respiratory conditions.
There have been some blanket rulings from sports such as athletics, but some individuals athletes want to be given a choice.
The AOC says the matter must be resolved between the head coach, the team manager and the athlete.
