London: Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed today he will represent Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing despite a potential EU boycott over China's actions in Tibet.

He played down reports of a rift with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who said last week that he would consult other European Union leaders on whether they wanted to boycott the opening ceremony. "I will certainly be there," Brown told reporters at his Downing Street office for his monthly press conference, when asked if he would join in any EU snub.

France will hold the EU presidency during the Beijing Olympics, which run from August 8-24. Sarkozy and Brown discussed the issue during a state visit to Britain last week by the French leader. "President Sarkozy said himself that he expected Britain, because we are the hosts of the next Olympics, to be present at the Olympic ceremonies. And I will certainly be there," Brown said.

"We have to bear in mind that although there is a huge amount of controversy now surrounding the Olympics because of what has been happening in Tibet, (exiled Tibetan spiritual leader) the Dalai Lama himself has made it clear he does not want there to be a boycott. "I think you have got to bear in mind the views around the world that the Olympics should go ahead as a sporting occasion." The key to helping Tibet was restraint, reconciliation and an end to the violence, he said.

Source : PTI