SIDELINES : One German Team OK With IOC

The possible merger of the East and West German Olympic teams is a matter for Germans to decide and any agreement will be accepted by the International Olympic Committee, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said today.

Samaranch, who arrived in Berlin for two days of talks with Olympic and civic leaders from both Germanys, said he’ll listen to find out what steps are being taken toward reunifying the teams.

East Germany’s Olympic chief, Joachim Weiskopf, said last weekend the two teams probably will merge by the end of the year.