CARACAS, Venezuela -- Photographers for United Press International and The Associated Press are among the international news agencies that agreed Wednesday not to cover track and field events at the Pan American Games because of 'harassment' and 'impossible' working conditions.
Also taking part in the job action are United Press Canada, Canadian Press and Sygma, a color photography agency which serves magazines around the world.
The agencies say they will not resume photographic coverage at the track and field competition -- which completed its second day Wedensday - until working conditions improve.
It is believed to be the first time international news agencies have agreed not to shoot pictures at an event of this magnitude.
The grievances by the photographers include: harassment by national guardsmen at the various press sites, poor shooting positions, unavailability of film messengers and lack of cooperation from Pan Am Games organizers.
In a statement citing their complaints, the photographers said:
'Because of the lack of cooperation and hostile harassment by national guardsmen at the various press sites, we have decided not to cover the track and field events.
'The organizing comittee, if not entirely sympathetic, has been ineffectual in correcting the problems we have encountered. This is the only manner we have at our disposal to draw attention to the conditions under which we must work.
'We regret we are unable to provide the type of coverage that our clients expect from us. We will continue to cover the other events of the Pan American Games and will cover the track and field events the moment we receive cooperation we have received at other international events.'
The photographers say that in the shot put event, for example, they are some 50 yards from the competitors. In running events they are 50 yards from the finish line and situated in poor lighting.
On Tuesday, the interantional agencies claim they were not permitted on the field and a press officer did not allow them to shoot the women's shot put until the event was over.
Ordinarily, at international track and field meets, a pool of photographers from international agencies and local media are allowed proximity to the athletes.
The international agencies contend that while they were barred from the field, about a half dozen members of the local media enjoyed access to the athletes.
Ruben Mijares, the press officer of the Games, said he can do nothing because the rules are dictated by the various federations in charge of the venues.
Lou Garcia, general news picture editor of UPI for Latin America, said the situation is different at other sites.
'The other shooting positions while not that good are not that bad,' he said. 'But this is impossible.'
