Draw a line between Tibet issue and Olympic movement: Paes

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) With controversies sorrounding the Beijing Olympic Torch relay, Leander paes has still not announced his stand but said it is important to draw a line between the Tibet issue and the Olympic movement.

''The Olympics has always been very close to me. This would be my fifth Olympic which is the maximum by any Asian athelete,'' Paes told mediapersons here today.

He added that the Olympics has always been a prestigious event and controversies regarding China's stand on Tibet should not hamper the Beijing games.

''It is important to differentiate between the Olympic movement and a governing movement.

''There have been many such incidents in the past, but the Olympics have never taken a backseat.

''Even during the World War, the Olympics took place as scheduled,'' he added.

Paes, however, was still unsure whether he will carry the torch, which has seen a worldwide protest, or not but said that the political issues need to be separated.

''There are two different movements at the moment. Number one is China's take on Tibet and the other one is Olympic movement,'' he remarked.

Meanwhile, the Japan Davis Cup team members preferred not to say anything on the issue.

UNI RAR AB HS2046