SEOUL, South Korea -- West German swimmer Jens Peter Berndt Sunday accused the East Germans of launching 'a Cold War' in their bid to oust the defector from the Olympic Games beginning next week.
'I just learned about it last night,' said Berndt, 25. 'I was upset at first but now I'm all right.'
The East Germans lodged a complaint with the Interntional Olympic Committee, contending Berndt has not lived in West Germany long enough since his defection in 1985 to qualify for the national team.
Michael Gross, a dominant figure in world swimming for the past five years, sided with his colleague.
'It's just the East German's usual way of going about things,' said Gross, considered the major obstacle to Matt Biondi's dream of matching Mark Spitz's seven gold medal performance. 'I don't believe this protest will have any success although they'll do anything against Peter.'
The IOC is meeting primarily to select the site for the 1994 Winter Games. But Berndt said he expected a decision on his plight as early as Sunday.
'I always said I defected for political reasons,' Gross told a news conference. 'I didn't want my defection used in any manipulatory context.
'The East Germans want to use this issue in a Cold War,' Berndt charged. 'I refuse to fufill' their intentions.
Berndt said the challenge to his status was not affecting his performance in practice sessions. 'It's ridiculous!' he exclaimed. 'I'm confident I'll be able to swim in the Olympics.'
Gross, discussing his own chances, said his top priority was winning the gold in the 200-meter fly.
Noting he has already collected 37 medals in international competitions, the 24-year-old Gross said, 'I can get into the races here feeling pretty relaxed. Any medal I win is additional.'
Gross is expected to be Biondi's toughest competitor in the 200-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly. Gross is defending Olympic titles in both events.
Gross apparently doesn't regard Biondi as a threat, mentioning other swimmers he considers stronger.
'Although there hasn't been an Olympics in 12 years with so many competitors, I've been competing in many interntional events so this isn't unusual,' Gross said. 'What is exciting is the Olympics itself.'
