EBU protests against IOC decision

Geneva, 27 October 2006: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officially protested today against the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to hold the finals of the swimming and a number of gymnastics competitions at the 2008 Olympics in the morning in Beijing, corresponding to the middle of the night in Europe. With this decision the IOC ends the tradition of staging these finals in the evening irrespective of the time zone at the venue.

The EBU has already expressed its opposition to the proposed changes and drawn the IOC's attention to the negative consequences of such a decision as viewers in Europe as well as the vast majority of the global TV audience will be disadvantaged.

Commenting on the decision, EBU President Fritz Pleitgen stated: “We are deeply disappointed at the IOC’s disregard for the interests of viewers and broadcasters in Europe as it is the key territory for the free-to-air promotion of the Olympic Games and Olympic sports in general. The EBU is currently working with its Members to examine ways to safeguard the interests of European viewers.”

For further information: 
sports@eurovision.net
tel:+41 22 717 28 65

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