'In bidding for the 2008 Games, the Chinese promised to improve matters. Yet, under President Hu Jintao the government has tightened the screw on political dissidents, non-governmental organisations, internet users and ethnic minorities......It is often said that sport and politics should not mix. With the Games being wholly or partly financed by governments, they inevitably do...' [extract Telegraph.co.uk 11/4/08]
'Fears that tomorrow’s (6/4/08) Olympic flame relay through London could be disrup
ted by violence intensified after it emerged that eight Tibetan protesters had been shot dead by Chinese police.' [extract Timesonline 5/4/08]'London's relay saw protesters trying to douse and even snatch the Olympic flame as athletes and celebrities carried it through the city.' [extract news.bbc 7/4/08]
[Image: New York City protest March 2008]
'More than 40 athletes taking part in the Beijing Olympics have today signed an open letter addressed to China's government urging it to respect human rights and freedom of religion, particularly in Tibet.' [extract Guardian.co.uk 7/8/08]
Four Free Tibet protesters including two Britons are arrested for hanging giant banners opposite Beijing's Olympic Stadium on a day of protests against the Chinese government. Watch here and for other protests and video viewpoints.
- Should sport and politics be kept separate...can they be?
- Should we or other countries have boycotted the olympics because of China's human rights issues - including restricted freedom of speech, internet censorship, detaining people, death penality, Tibet?
- Has the olympics had a positive role in at least raising peoples awareness?
