Press Conference of the Prime Minister M. Topolánek and J. Železný on the Participation of the PM in the Olympic Games in Beijing, Held on15th July 20

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the press briefing of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mirek Topolánek. I also welcome the member of the commission of the International

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: Thank you. With regard to the fact that it is my fourth press conference today and there is still one ahead of me after discussion with the President, I will answer only questions relating to the topic. That was introductory information. As you know, in response to the events in Tibet, I refused to go and I cancelled my journey to the opening ceremonial of the Olympic Games in China. I insist on it and I never changed my decision. I received a request of the Czech Olympic Committee, which is represented here by Mr. Jan Železný; the other members are at the session of the executive committee and therefore they apologized for their absence. I have received a request to support our sportsmen at the Olympic Games and I would like to say at this press conference that I met that request. I am of the opinion that sportsmen, who have been training for five years to be able to participate in that most important sport event, the Summer Olympic Games, deserve the support of their Prime Minister and therefore I accepted the invitation. I add, as you are going to ask me about it, that all the costs will be covered by the Czech Olympic Committee, even though I will not use a special government's aircraft, but an airline. My son will accompany me on that journey, cost of whom will be covered by me. That was information for the sake of order, to get it clear; I will not comment it any more. I think that my decision is correct and my opinion regarding event in Tibet rests unchanged.

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: I thank the Prime Minister and now I ask Mr. Železný for a few words.

Jan Železný, member of the commission of sportsmen of the IOC: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad that the Prime Minister accepted our invitation to participate in the Olympic Games. The reason of my presence here is that I wished the Prime Minister to support the Czech Olympic Team. That was the only one reason. I think that the Czech Olympic Team and Czech sportsmen are something like envoys of this country at such a significant event as the Olympic Games are, and that they deserve participation of a statesman who would help both our team and the presentation of the Czech nation in Beijing. I would like to present symbolically the Prime Minister with an outfit of the Czech Olympic Team and I think that it is nice that the Prime Minister accepted our invitation.

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: Thank you very much; shall I put it on right now?

Jan Železný, member of the commission of sportsmen of the IOC: The size is likely to be correct.

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: I have slimmed a lot recently.

Jan Železný, member of the commission of sportsmen of the IOC: So have I.

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: I thank Mr. Železný and the Prime Minister. Are there any questions?

Hospodářské noviny: I have a question to Mr. Železný. I would like to know whether you received any request from the side of the International Olympic Committee for exerting pressure on those who had stated that they would not go because of those Tibet's events. Was there any request like that?

Jan Železný, member of the commission of sportsmen of the IOC: No, there was not any, and we in the IOC Athletes'´ Commission issued a statement a long time ago, in which we explained that issue. But no official request of the International Olympic Committee arrived.

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: Thank you.

(An inarticulate question.)

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: I am going there just for a few days. I am going on 13th August, I think. I return because of my participation in the session of the Chamber of Deputies; it means I will be back on Monday or on Tuesday. Is it so?

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: Yes, from 13th August to 18th August. One more question – Hospodářské noviny.

Hospodářské noviny: inarticulate question

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: The invitation was for me. I do not know whether he was invited by somebody. Originally it was planned that the President would participate in the Olympic Games. After his operation was announced, I took over his role. It concerns high representatives of states and therefore I will represent the entire government and I do not have information on any other invitation.

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: Thank you. Are there any further questions? Thank you for your attention.

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: I thank you too, have a nice day, good-bye.

Jana Bartošová, Government spokesperson: Good bye.