Beijing says takes anti-discrimination pledge seriously

Members of the 2022 Evaluation Commission for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and representatives of Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics bid committee walk outside Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Birds' Nest, in Beijing March 24, 2015. REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool

BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing takes seriously the Olympics anti-discrimination pledge it has signed in its bid to host the 2022 Winter Games, a senior official said on Tuesday, but denied knowledge of a recent crackdown on a prominent anti-discrimination group.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said last year it would include human rights clauses in new contracts to be signed by future Olympic host cities, strengthening its anti-discrimination policy.