The chairman of the International Olympic Committee's press commission, Kevan Gosper, last night dismissed claims that he might struggle to retain his prestigious position in the fallout of the internet censorship row.
The veteran IOC official is the subject of heated speculation among the 115 IOC members gathering at the five-star Raffles Beijing Hotel for an executive board meeting after he failed to appear with IOC President Jacques Rogge at his first press conference of the Games on Saturday.
His absence from the podium has been seen as further evidence of a rift between other senior IOC members angered after he publicly named Mr Rogge as one of those privy to a perceived U-turn over unfettered internet access for the media.
Media in his native Australia quoted one IOC member as saying the organisation 'was already looking for a new press commission' chief - a role considered a plum position among ambitious officials in the powerful sporting body.
But Mr Gosper laughed it off.
'I'm not going to comment on rumours. And I will be alongside the president when he gives his first press conference after the executive board meeting is concluded later this week,' he said.