A Cautious Pace on South Africa Is Urged by IOC

Officials of the International Olympic Committee cautioned international sports federations against moving too hastily in welcoming South Africa back into the fold.

The process of South Africa’s return to the Olympic movement was the focus of Monday’s opening meeting of the IOC Executive Board. The full IOC session opens Wednesday.

There has been concern in IOC circles that some federations, such as the International Amateur Athletic Federation, might be pushing too hard on South Africa.

Last month, the IAAF partially lifted its ban on South African athletes in international meets and said they could start competing again in Africa. The IAAF said it would consider a broader lifting of the ban after a delegation studies the situation later this month.

The IOC has set two main conditions for South Africa’s readmission: abolition of apartheid and unification of the country’s sports federations into non-racial bodies.

No formal action on readmitting South Africa is expected at this week’s IOC meetings.

The high point of the session will be Saturday’s vote on the host city for the 1998 Winter Games. The candidates are Salt Lake City; Nagano, Japan; Ostersund, Sweden; Aosta, Italy, and Jaca, Spain.