QUEBEC - The president of the International Olympic Committee is diplomatically sidestepping the question of whether student strife in Quebec could hurt any bids by the province to hold international sports events.
Jacques Rogge says he is aware of the bitter dispute, which has seen widespread rioting in Montreal attract international attention.
Rogge told a news conference in Quebec City today that social turmoil is regrettable but added he did not want to mix the sports world with the student crisis.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume has made it clear he would love his city host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Rogge did not address the student conflict in his speech to a sports conference, instead praising Canada's dedication to amateur sports.
The IOC chief is also to attend a benefit dinner aimed at raising money for Canadian athletes.
Quebec students have been protesting for more than three months against tuition fee increases.
The Quebec City event was interrupted briefly by a tuxedo-clad man who walked in front of the stage as Canadian Olympic Committee president Marcel Aubut was about to speak.
The protester invoked incidents where students were gassed and clubbed by police during riots in Montreal on the weekend. He then left quickly.
Aubut brushed off the event in his speech.
