Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman apologized again and again Thursday for thoughtless comments he made about Africa that some say could derail Toronto's bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

I am truly sorry and I'm going to say it again, Lastman said. I'm sorry that my comments were inappropriate and I want to apologize to everyone for my remarks, particularly to anyone who was offended by them.

The apology was in reference to remarks Lastman made when he told the Toronto Star he did not want to go to Mombassa, Kenya, where the National Olympic Committees of Africa was meeting.

What the hell would I want to go to a place like Mombasa, he said, later adding, I just see myself in a pot of boiling water with all these natives dancing around me.

On Thursday, asked repeatedly if he would resign over the remarks, Lastman would not respond, except to offer a variety of apologies:

I'm sorry I made the remarks.

I'm truly sorry I made the remarks.

I'm truly sorry.

I'm very sorry about the remarks.

Asked sarcastically if he was sorry about the remarks, Lastman replied Yes. I am.

It was just the wrong thing to say and I'm sorry I made them. What do you want from me except I'm sorry, he said finally, thumping one clenched fist on the podium. I apologize, I did the wrong thing.

DECISION TIME NEXT MONTH



Lastman's remarks come as the race to host the 2008 Olympic Games enters its final stages. Toronto is seen as a frontrunner, along with Beijing and Paris. The decision will be announced next month in Moscow.

But one African sports official said Lastman's remarks will cause people to think twice about Toronto's campaign to host the Games.

Dan Moyo, secretary-general of Southern Africa national Olympic committees and a senior official of South Africa's national Olympic committee, said he didn't think the comments would affect the bid, but added it will send a message that one will have to check again Toronto's strengths for hosting the Games and who is organizing the city's bid.

Not only in Africa but across other continents as well, he said from Johannesburg.

I think it's terribly unfortunate, said Paul Henderson, a Canadian member of the International Olympic Committee. I can't believe anyone in his position would first of all think like that or second of all would say it.

I don't even want to lower myself to make a comment on it. All I'd be doing is making the issue bigger than it is and bigger than he is, Henderson said in a telephone interview from Poland.

John Bitove, the head of Toronto's bid committee said the city's bid shouldn't be sidetracked by Lastman's gaffe.

Anyone who knows Toronto knows the strength of this city is it's multiculturalism and its diversity and how proudly we wear that, he said. It's been one of the key features in our bid and it will continue to be a key feature in our bid.

CHRETIEN COMMENTS

Prime Minister Jean Chretien, in Stockholm for an EU Summit, said he didn't want to get involved in something that amounts to spilled milk.

I've just been briefed on that, he said. I don't tend to comment a lot about something, picking up the milk that was on the floor. It was done. I think it was probably, as usual, taken out of context.

Ontario Premier Mike Harris downplayed the incident. He said the mayor's comments were wrong and the timing unfortunate, but noted Lastman apologized right away.

Harris says he hopes African countries understand Mel is Mel and doesn't really mean any harm by the things he says.

Some observers in Toronto disagreed. Abdi Hashised, executive director of the Somali-Canadian Cultural Club, called the comments shameful.

He (Lastman) doesn't have respect for those who voted for him. If he doesn't have any respect for us, we don't have any respect for him, Hashised said.

Munyonzwe Hamalengwa, formerly of Zambia and a former mayoral candidate in Toronto, described the remarks as ignorant and bigoted.



Mayor Lastman's comments, if they're read by members of African Olympic committee, would definitely deny Toronto getting the Olympics. I guarantee you the Olympics will not be in Toronto because of those comments, Hamalengwa said.

But Canadian IOC member Charmaine Crooks, who is also part of the Toronto bid, said Lastman should stay on the Toronto bid team despite the gaffe.

He's been a great cheerleader for the bid and we feel his apology is sincere. Nobody doubts Mr. Lastman's commitment to multiculturalism in Toronto.