In a follow up story to our post Wednesday about the International Olympic Committee considering lifting a ban on athletes blogging, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), demonstrating that Australian athletes succeed in spite of their governing body, has stated that Australian Athletes will be totally banned from blogging at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics because they could release “electronic missiles”. (note, I’m not kidding, I really, really wish, as an Australian, that I was)

Craig Phillips from the Australian Olympic Committee said that Blogging would erode the sanctuary of the Olympic village.

“The nature of the technology is such that if someone came off the field or the track annoyed about something, they could spout off at their competitors or their coaches. That would undermine team spirit…Blogging would allow athletes to launch missiles electronically, and it could become a real free for all.” said Mr Phillips.

The BBC reports that Mr Phillips also said there were commercial considerations.

The AOC fears that non-Olympic sponsors might use blogs to hijack the games in ambush marketing. Yep, it’s really all about the money.

Tags: Olympics, Australian Olympic Committee

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