IOC plays down 'overzealous' Chinese security guard who shoved Dutch reporter at Beijing Winter Olympics

An incident involving a Dutch reporter in the middle of a live broadcast who was dragged away by Chinese security officials at the Winter Olympics was an isolated event, according to the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC said on Saturday that the episode would not affect foreign media's reporting at the Beijing Games.

The journalist, Sjoerd den Daas, was delivering his live report to public broadcaster NOS on Friday evening during the Games opening ceremony when several security officials surrounded him and one of them forcefully dragged him away.

Another security officer attempted to hold his hand in front of the camera as the reporter tried to continue speaking to it.

The broadcaster, which had to interrupt the link with the reporter leaving the studio anchor back in the Netherlands confused, shared the incident on its Twitter account.

«Obviously we have been in touch with the NOS, the state broadcaster, and it was an unfortunate circumstance,» IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said.

«I think someone was being overzealous. [The reporter] was able to, very quickly afterwards with the help of officials there, do his piece to camera.»

Fourteen years on from the bombastic sights of the Beijing Summer Games opening ceremony, China's tone at these Winter Olympics is more conciliatory amid a message on how the Olympics can bring people together.

Games participants, including media, are restricted to a «closed loop» during the Games, which includes the venues, the media centre and the accommodations.

All participants must remain in that loop for the entire duration of the Games as part of China's health measures to minimise the risk of any coronavirus spread during the Games which will run until February 20.

There have been concerns