European Olympics Meeting Moves from Israel

(ATR) Tensions in Israel force the European Olympic Committees to switch the site for its annual general assembly, Around the Rings is told.

Sources say the 49 members of the EOC have been informed that Rome, headquarters city for the EOC, will now host the meeting on the same dates, Dec. 7-8.

The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of the continental association

Monday to move the assembly from Eilat, a resort on the Red Sea. While Eilat is not subject to the missile attacks being fired into Israel from Gaza, participants in the meeting would have had to travel through Tel Aviv, which is under threat.

ATR understands that the EOC was under deadlines to release its hotel rooms in Eilat -- as well as being able to secure rooms in Rome at the last minute.

The meeting in Israel had been in the works for more than a year, the first time for the EOC to meet in Israel. While technically part of Asia, the Olympic Committee of Israel has always been affiliated with the EOC instead of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Along with the NOCs from Europe, the EOC assembly is expected to draw IOC President Jacques Rogge, who cancelled a trip to Rio de Janeiro last week based on medical advice as he recovers from hip surgery. Also coming to the EOC meeting are representatives of upcoming Olympic Games and the three bid cities for the 2020 Olympics: Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo.

Written and reported by Ed Hula.