France not so sure it will go to Moscow Olympics

France appears to be backing off from its earlier unqualified statements that it will participate in the Moscow Olympics, and preparations were made for a series of high-level European consultations on the summer games.

Claude Collard, head of the French National Olympic and Sporting Committee, has said that although the panel accepted a formal invitation to the games last week, it has not responded officially to the organizers. He said athletes would have "total individual freedom" to decide for themselves whether they want to compete in Moscow.