BOCOG: Spielberg resignation against 'Olympic spirit'

Organizers of the Beijing Olympics said that any linking of sport and politics is counter to the "Olympic spirit" following the resignation of Steven Spielberg as an unpaid artistic adviser on the games’ opening and closing ceremonies, the Financial Times reported. The Olympics organizing committee (BOCOG) joined China’s foreign ministry in defending China’s stance on Darfur, which Spielberg cited as the reason for his resignation. BOCOG said in a statement that linking the Darfur issue to the Olympic Games would not resolve the issue in Sudan. The committee added that any "unprejudiced" observer would recognize China’s "unremitting efforts" for peace in the region. Spielberg’s resignation was for the most part ignored by local media.