Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International...

Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, said it was too late for the six boycotting nations to change their minds about entering team-sport events in the Seoul Olympics.

Samaranch, however, said the boycotting nations still were welcome to rescind their earlier decision and send athletes for individual sports, such as track and field, swimming and boxing.

North Korea, Cuba, Ethiopia, Albania, Nicaragua and the Seychelles have turned down invitations to Seoul in support of North Korean demands that it co-host the Games.

Samaranch also said the IOC backed anti-apartheid efforts by black African nations and was confident the Games would be spared another boycott in the controversy surrounding South African-born distance runner Zola Budd of Britain.