When it suits him, Jacques Rogge is fond of saying that politics shouldn't interfere with the Olympics. This spring, he said, "Politics invited itself in[to] sports. We didn't call for politics to come."

So why was the International Olympic Committee chairman trying to broker a joint march of the two Koreas for the opening ceremonies?

IOC president Jacques Rogge said Thursday that negotiations for a joint march failed, calling it a "setback for peace" and reunification efforts on the divided peninsula.

Athletes from the two Koreas marched together in the same uniform under the blue and white "unification flag" at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Games.

"We've tried to have this in Beijing," Rogge said. "Unfortunately, it was not possible."

He said there had been a "great willingness" among the two national Olympic committees for a joint march.

"Unfortunately the political powers — both on the South and the North — did not agree," he said. "And I regret this very much because this is a setback for peace and harmony and reunification."

Rogge said he had sent two personal letters to the presidents of both Koreas urging a combined march. [...]

The two Koreas had earlier discussed forming a unified team, but the negotiations fell apart due to differences on how to select athletes. The South insisted they be selected based on performance, while the North demanded equal representation.