IOC President Jacques Rogge said in Milan on November 22 that new sports could be introduced in future editions of the Olympic games, but only on condition that an equal number of disciplines is dropped.

Rogge said they (IOC) will decide (about new entries) in 2005 with golf, rugby, squash and roller skating are knocking on the door by telling newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published Monday.

Rogge also praised the contribution that TV networks and commercial sponsors make to the Olympics, saying they helped to develop sports and encourage the presence of poor countries at the games. However, Rogge warned that commercial interests should not

be allowed to dominate the Olympics.

Rogge said he was not worried by political squabbles, budget deficit and delays that have been casting doubts over the organization of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Source: Xinhua