British PM defends Games visit

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that he looked forward to celebrating the Olympic spirit in Beijing, hitting back at a political rival who questioned his decision to attend the Games.

Brown told Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday that he expected both British and Chinese athletes to "perform to the maximum of their ability" and "celebrate genuine Olympic ideals of sportsmanship" at the ongoing Games.

"This is, I think, the most important message of the Olympics - that the world can be brought together through sport - and it is what I will be going to Beijing to celebrate," Brown was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

The British prime minister arrived in Beijing yesterday with his wife Sarah, and two young sons John and Fraser. He will attend the closing ceremony of the Games on Sunday.

Prior to his arrival in Beijing, he had to overcome efforts to politicize the Olympics.