Will athletes be prevented from expressing opinions on China's Human Rights?
Will Athletes Be Free to Criticise China?
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
The British Olympic Committee (BOC) this week reignited the debate
on whether athletes heading to Beijing will be allowed to voice
opinions on human rights, Tibet and other politically sensitive
issues by adding a controversial new `gag' clause to its athletes'
contracts. After vehement criticism from opposition MPs and Tibet
support groups, the BOC was forced to back away.
The clause of the contract in question stated: "[Athletes] are not
to comment on any politically sensitive issues" and referred
athletes to section 51 of the International Olympic Committee
charter, which "provides for no kind of demonstration, or political,
religious or racial propaganda in the Olympic sites, venues and other
areas".
The BOC confirmed to the UK's Mail on Sunday newspaper that any
athlete refusing to sign the agreement would not be allowed to
travel to Beijing and that breach of this contract while in Beijing
would result in athletes being sent home.
However, following strong opposition reported in the British press,
the British Olympic Association has agreed to revisit the language
used in the athletes' contract.
Other countries including the US, Canada, Finland and Australia,
have pledged that their athletes will be free to express opinions on
almost any issue, including China-Tibet relations and human rights issues
in China.
In August 2007, the head of the Australian Olympic Committee, John
Coates, stated that Australian athletes are "entitled to have their
opinions and express them".
Only New Zealand and Belgium have banned their athletes from
expressing political views while competing at this year's Olympics.
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