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THIS is in reply to Mr Khoo Lih-Han's comment last Saturday, and Mr Chiang Ging Seng's yesterday, on the Olympic Games torch not stopping over in Singapore.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay is a prelude to the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, and therefore all rights to the torch relay belong to the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.
In planning the route for the torch relay, the committee decides on its theme, duration and distance, as well as the cities through which the torch will pass. The route was finalised and announced by the committee on April 26 last year.
It is understandable that Singaporeans would have liked to have the honour of having the torch relay pass through Singapore. We have long been strong supporters of the Olympic movement, its principles and values. However, we all know we must respect the integrity of the planning process and the decisions made by the Beijing Organising Committee.
Chris Chan
Secretary-General
Singapore National Olympic Council
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