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Thursday, 01 December 2005 |
IOC chief Jacques Rogge criticises mercenary athletes
International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge has hit out at athletes who switch their nationalities in pursuit of money.
An increasing number of athletes are choosing to represent countries
for the financial benefits and Jacques Rogge believes that it is
against the Olympic spirit.
"What is not legitimate is when an athlete sells himself as a mercenary." Jacques Rogge said.
"The athlete will keep the nationality only for the time of their career then, only God knows what they will do."
Jacques Rogge made his remarks in the same week as Austrian skier Josef
Strobl announced plans to compete at next year's Winter Olympics for
Slovenia.
However, Josef Strobl, who faces stiff competition in Austria, is
switching to his great-grandfather's nationality in order to guarantee
selection for the Games.
Olympic steeplechase champion Stephen Cherono controversially switched
nationalities from Kenya to Qatar, for a reported $1,000 a month. He
had no previous links to the Gulf state, who were previously badly
represented in athletics, and went on to change his name to Shaheen
Saif Saaeed.
And World 1500m champion Rashid Ramzi is Moroccan-born but now runs for
Bahrain, who are also now represented by several Kenyans.
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