Mr Cross defends China ruling

Press, 21 April 1979, Page 3

Mr Cross defends China ruling

PA Wellington There is no reason why both Chinas should not both compete at the Moscow Olympic Games next year, according to Mr loanee Cross, of Wellington, a member of the executive board of the International Olympic Committee.

At the Olympic Congress meeting in Montevideo last month, a resolution was adopted whereby both the Olympic committee of the People’s Republic of China (Peking) and that of Taiwan would be recognised. “I was accused by one British journalist after that meeting of being a stumbling block to the participation of the People’s Republic at Moscow next year, but that is nonsense,” said Mr Cross yesterday. The allegation was made by John Rodda, writing in the “Guardian” newspaper. “It is now over to Peking to decide whether to accept the 1.0. C. proposition and we should know what its decision is at the next meeting of the executive board to be held in Puerto Rico in June,” Mr Cross said.

Mr Cross moved the amendment at the Montevideo meeting which allowed the possible entry of both Chinas to the Games. It was passed by 38 votes to 28. Mr Cross had earlier headed a three-man 1.0. C. committee which studied the problem of the entry of the two Chinas into the Olympic movement.

“Had not that amendment been carried, the Olympic committee of Taiwan, which has been in existence for the last 30 years, would have been passed over. Already Taiwan has accepted the proposal that its committee will be known as the Chinese Olympic Committee (Taipei),” he said. “Now the People’s Republic has to decide whether its committee will be known as the Chinese Olympic Committee (Peking). We expect that the question will be discussed further in June.

“But far from my admendment’s being a stumbling block to the participation in the Games by the Peking Chinese, it opened the way to participation by both countries,” said Mr Cross.