COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Denmark's table tennis team canceled a trip to the Middle East this month because of Islamic outrage over Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Denmark will take part in the Turin Olympics, which begin Friday. But its soccer federation is considering calling off an exhibition game in Israel on March 1.
The Danish soccer federation said it was in contact with the country's Foreign Ministry and intelligence service and will decide this month if it will cancel the game in Tel Aviv. The Foreign Ministry has urged Danes to avoid Muslim countries because of violent protests against Denmark.
Denmark's table tennis association said Tuesday it will not compete in Pro Tour events in Qatar and Kuwait, starting Feb. 13. The federation had planned to send Olympic men's doubles bronze medalists Michael Maze and Finn Tugwell and two other players.
"We're really sorry that we had to cancel our participation because of the situation in the world," table tennis federation spokesman Arne Madsen said.
On Monday, Israeli Arabs protested outside the Danish Embassy in Tel Aviv, and Danish flags have been burned during protests on the West Bank.
Denmark's Olympic Committee has said it is sending five athletes—all curlers—and five officials to the Turin Games. Team chief Jesper Frigast Larsen said Danish Olympic officials had been in contact with the country's Security Intelligence Service.
"We have received no warnings or told to take extra precautions," Frigast Larsen said.
The publication of 12 drawings of the Prophet Mohammed by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten last year has in recent days sparked protests in Muslims countries. Buildings housing Danish diplomatic missions have been stormed and set on fire in Damascus, Beirut and Tehran.
