Athletes need to train for about 10 years, or 10,000 hours, before they can compete at the international level. We are trying to protect the investments that their communities and sponsors will have made during all these years. If an athlete's success leads to the creation of an association, we want to be assured that there will be no legal intervention. People will not set up associations with the express aim of undermining the games. It is related to the individual and the work that has been done.
On June 5th, 2007. See this statement in context.