VALLETTA, June 3: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has no plans to ban wild cards but will seek to ensure all athletes reach an acceptable standard, president Jacques Rogge said on Tuesday.

Rogge told a news conference the IOC was committed to ensuring every country was represented in the Games even if their athletes did not reach the qualifying standard.

“The IOC has no plans to abolish wild cards,” he said. “What we are saying is that the wild card athletes must be of a certain level.

“Their standard has to be adequate because otherwise it’s unfair on other athletes who are potential medal winners but are left out of their countries’ squads.”

Rogge said all small countries would be asked to submit the names of their potential Olympic athletes two years prior to the Games.

“Through our Olympic Solidarity scheme, they can benefit from technical expertise either in their country or abroad,” he said.

Athletes such as Eric Moussambani from Equatorial Guinea, whose time for the 100 metres at the 2000 Sydney Games was twice the world record, have been criticised for devaluing the Games.—Reuters