"I'm very concerned with the international situation and what's happening in Tibet," Jacques Rogge said on Monday in Beijing.

"The torch relay has been targeted. The International Olympic Committee has expressed its serious concern and calls for a rapid peaceful resolution in Tibet," Rogge said in a brief speech at the meetings' opening ceremony.

China is facing rising criticism ahead of the August Olympics on issues from its crackdown on anti-government protests among Tibetans to its close relations with Sudan.

Rogge's comments were his strongest yet on the growing political storm surrounding the Games, underscoring rising concern over the potential that such protests would tarnish the Olympic movement.

"Violence for whatever reason is not compatible with the values of the torch relay or the Olympic Games," Rogge said.

Rogge acknowledged that "some politicians have played with the idea of boycotts," but added: "As I speak, however, there is no momentum for a generalised boycott."

"We need the unity of the Olympic movement to help us overcome the difficulties. Our major responsibility is for offering good games to the athletes who deserve them," Rogge said. The athletes deserve and the world expects it, and the unity of the Olympic movement will deliver it," he said.