The ruling body confirmed comments by its president Jacques Rogge that the four-yearly event wouldn't be postponed because of security concerns following yesterday's terrorist attacks in the US.
The IOC said in a statement that the attacks in New York and Washington left the Olympic movement with a `profound sense of shock and disbelief'. Rogge sent letters of condolence to US President George W. Bush, the US Olympic Committee and the Salt Lake City Organising Committee.
Mitt Romney, president of the Salt Lake Organising Committee (SLOC), said: "The Games are a symbol of the human spirit and world peace. That symbol is needed more today than ever before."
But he added: "I look for the federal government to revisit the public safety plans of the Games. We will be fully engaged in that process and will make it our highest priority. This is a sobering reminder that there are evil people inthe world who will do outrageous things."
The IOC's executive board is scheduled to meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, from September 18-20 to consider progress reports by organisers of the Salt Lake City Games.
