The governing body of the Olympics says it never entered into a deal with Chinese authorities to censor the internet during the Beijing Games.
In a statement released today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had always encouraged organisers of the Beijing Olympics to provide media with the fullest access possible during the Games, including internet access.
"The IOC would like to stress that no deal with the Chinese authorities to censor the internet has ever in any way been entered into," the statement said.
The IOC said the chairman of the Beijing 2008 IOC coordination commission, Hein Verbruggen, and Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli, held meetings with Games organisers (BOCOG) and Chinese authorities following media complaints about internet access.
"The issues were put on the table and the IOC requested that the Olympic Games hosts address them," the statement said.
"We understand that BOCOG will give details to the media very soon of how the matter has been addressed.
"We trust them to keep their promise."
Yesterday China's foreign ministry said it would continue to censor the internet during the Games, despite an international outcry.
"We are determined to implement the regulations," said foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
Olympic press commission chairman Kevan Gosper yesterday said senior members of the IOC had struck a deal with Chinese authorities, which he had only just become aware of.
"(The deal) may well have been done by the executive board, done in another place by very senior people in the IOC," he said.
"I'm very disappointed not to have been informed."
Gosper said the decision was personally galling, as he had repeatedly assured journalists there would be no internet restrictions during the Games.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he would raise the issue with Chinese authorities while in Beijing for the opening ceremony.
Mr Rudd said he was surprised and concerned by reports the Chinese authorities had blocked journalists' access to human rights and Tibet-related sites.
"I've seen those reports, I'm quite concerned by them .... my attitude to our friends in China is very simple. They should have nothing to fear from open digital links with the rest of the world," he told Fairfax Radio in Melbourne.
