IOC president Jacques Rogge said he respected film director Steven Spielberg's decision to quit his Beijing Olympics role because of China's policies in Sudan.

"I reacted by respecting his decision," Rogge told France 24 in an interview yesterday.

"I have a lot of respect for Mr Spielberg. He is a man who has had a remarkable career."

Hollywood director Spielberg said he pulled out of his role as an artistic adviser because China was doing too little to help halt the bloodshed in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, where Khartoum-linked militia have battled rebel groups.

"He was contacted by the organising committee," Rogge told France 24.

"The IOC had nothing to do with that decision. He (Spielberg) is leaving. It is his decision. He certainly would have brought a lot to the opening ceremony in terms of creativity. His absence will not harm the quality of the Games."

China voiced its disappointment on Thursday over Spielberg's decision and said the Games would be a success regardless.

Eight Nobel Peace laureates also wrote to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging him to change policy towards Sudan, where China has big oil investments. Beijing has often said it is working for peace in Darfur.

"The role of the IOC is to organise the Olympic Games," Rogge said.

"We are not a sports association nor a political organisation and neither an association with humanitarian goals. That does not mean that everyone of us within the Olympic movement does not have his own conscience, his own very strong beliefs."