A spokesman for the Organising Committee told me yesterday that San Marino had withdrawn their women's beach volleyball team.

This has resulted in a total disruption of the competition and a new programme was yesterday being drafted.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that San Marino have withdrawn their threat not to take part in the Games after they were allowed to take part in the men's volleyball competition.

A dispute had arisen between the president of their volleyball federation and the European Volleyball Federation over the validity of the presidency in the San Marino elections.

However, it was only on the insistence of IOC president Dr Jacques Rogge that San Marino have been allowed to take part.