Rogge to be honoured by UN Environment Programme

ATHENS, Feb 1 (Reuters) International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge will join former US Vice President Al Gore among seven environmental leaders to be honoured in Singapore on April 19.

In a statement today the IOC said the seven would be be honoured by the United Nations Environment Programme for their contribution to protecting the environment.

For the past 15 years the IOC, which organises the summer and winter Olympics, has introduced environmental standards for cities bidding to host the Games in an effort to minimise the impact the Games have on the environment.

The IOC is closely monitoring preparations for the 2008 Beijing Games, saying environmental challenges in rapidly developing China are ''arguably greater than for any previous Games''.

REUTERS SAM PM1718