He extended an invitation to Ms. Quinn and "all politicians" to march, but he said the organizers have no intention of changing the policy.

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg also is due to participate, though he has said the organizers should change their stance on gay marchers.

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is in his final year in office, has marched in the parade each year, but he has previously said he disagrees with the organizers' position on this issue.

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The parade organizers have the right to set their own rules, he said.

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The slowdown in the sales of personal computers so far had not affected the cheaper personal organizers, he said.

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Garlett was invited to compete in the elite event because organizers believe he "demonstrates the Ironman mantra: Anything is possible, " said Blair LaHaye, director of communications for Ironman.

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Mr. Kobre said that the organizers are technically savvy, though he did not know who would be speaking at the event.

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"The organizers say that they have everything under control, " he said.

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He said in many cases the people who guard the victims are simply hired hands who have little contact with the organizers of the kidnapping.

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