"Top International Olympic Committee officials are furious at what they see as US President George Bush's hijacking of the Olympic name for his re-election campaign.
IOC marketing head Gerhard Heiberg tried to play down the controversy on Wednesday, saying simply that they would like the ads running on American television to stop.
"We are following what is happening and hope the campaign will stop," said Heiberg.
"The United States Olympic Committee is dealing with the matter. We own the rights to the Olympic name and no one has asked our permission," he added.
"The arrogance of the US administration is quite amazing. To hijack the Olympics name ... it is difficult to put it into words," said one senior IOC member.
Heiberg admitted he was uncomfortable at the Olympic brand being used by politicians.
"This is not good. We do not want this to happen. We are politically neutral," said Heiberg."
"Arrogance." Isn't it amazing how regularly that adjective follows Bush around?
"Cluelessness" fits, too.
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