Hip operation to prevent Klaus from attending Olympic Games in Beijing

Czech President Václav Klaus has said that he will be staying away from the Beijing Olympics. In remarks published on his personal website on Wednesday, Mr Klaus said he would not attend the opening ceremony nor any of the August 8 – 24 games. Mr Klaus stressed that his actions should not be seen as a reaction to China’s crackdown in Tibet. The Czech press reported on Thursday that he would be undergoing a hip operation at the time. Mr Klaus had been invited to attend the games by the Czech Olympic Committee, which said that it fully respected the president’s decision.