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Press, 25 July 1986, Page 21

I From

in Edinburgh

Speculation that the Canadian Federal Government was on the verge of withdrawing the Canadian team from the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games ended, finally, yesterday at a crowded press conference in the Scottish Widows Press Centre. “I am delighted to confirm that the Canadian team will participate in these Games and has the total support of the Government of Canada,” said the Canadian Minister of Siate, Fitness Ama-

teur Sport, Mr Otto Jelinek. “There was never any danger of us pulling out”

Mr Jelinek fuelled speculation that Canada was about to withdraw when he failed to turn up to a scheduled press conference the night before. Subsequently, a statement from the Canadian team management that it had no intention of joining the boycott even if it meant defying the Canadian Government was treated with some reserve.

“No-one is going to benefit from the boycott of these Games. The situation in Africa will not change as a result” he said.

Mr Jelinek explained his absence from the first press conference by saying that “the Canadian Government even as late as last night, was looking at options and I felt it inappropriate to attend a press conference arranged over a month ago. Had I come, I would have had to waffle.”

After intense questioning, he revealed that he could not have said that the Canadian team had the full support of the Government at that time, although he could have said that the team would not be pulled out He refused to accept the suggestion that he had increased anxiety over

the Canadian team’s position, and would not explain the options he said had been offered to the Government “I will not be drawn into that game,” he said.

Pressed for an explanation, he said he was not even suggesting that options had been considered by the Government; only that they had been suggested.

Mr Jelinek confirmed that Canada intended applying for the 1994 Commonwealth Games. “Any suggestion that the Commonwealth Games should be done away with is ridiculous. There is no doubt that the Games are going to continue for future generations.”

Some $5O million had already been set aside for Canada’s application, he said.

Ways and means to penalise countries which took part in boycotts had to be looked at by the Commonwealth Games Federation. Fines were one possibility to be explored, he said.

“It is a shame that a sports event of this nature has to be the victim of politics. I would hope that the Commonwealth Games Federation would look at some options for the future,” he said. A policy that would punish any countries which resorted to boycotts was badiy needed. T