Time magazine reported in its Feb. 19 issue that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering changing the venue for the 2004 Summer Olympics from Athens to Seoul to promote inter-Korean reconciliation and the eventual reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

The weekly magazine cited a close aide to IOC President Antonio Samaranch as saying that Samaranch, who is retiring this coming July, is pursuing the move.

The magazine said that the IOC president will likely try to turn international public opinion against holding the games in Athens to facilitate the relocation of the games.

Such a decision, if made, would come during the IOC general assembly for the 2004 Summer Olympics, to be held in July in Moscow.

Athens is currently having difficulties raising the funds needed to build the stadiums and lodging facilities required to host the games.

A Korea Sports Council spokesman said that he had heard nothing from Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) President Kim Un-yong about the possible relocation of the venue.