British Olympic athletes stifled from criticism of Chinese Gov.

SenaxFlatulus · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Olympic kow tow as British athletes are forced to sign contracts banning criticism of Chinese regime

British Olympic chiefs are to force athletes to sign a contract promising not to speak out about China's appalling human rights record – or face being banned from travelling to Beijing.

The move – which raises the spectre of the order given to the England football team to give a Nazi salute in Berlin in 1938 – immediately provoked a storm of protest.

The controversial clause has been inserted into athletes' contracts for the first time and forbids them from making any political comment about countries staging the Olympic Games.

It is contained in a 32-page document that will be presented to all those who reach the qualifying standard and are chosen for the team.

From the moment they sign up, the competitors – likely to include the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and world record holder Paula Radcliffe – will be effectively gagged from commenting on China's politics, human rights abuses or illegal occupation of Tibet.

Prince Charles has already let it be known that he will not be going to China, even if he is invited by Games organisers.

His views on the Communist dictatorship are well known, after this newspaper revealed how he described China's leaders as “appalling old waxworks” in a journal written after he attended the handover of Hong Kong. The Prince is also a long-time supporter of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader.

Yesterday the British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that any athlete who refuses to sign the agreements will not be allowed to travel to Beijing.

There's more to the story, if you want to read for yourself. Here's the link to the full article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...e_id=1770&ct=5

Joker · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 04:36 PM

The Nazi salute was far worse than this. That was actively condoning the regime.

Political criticism has no place in the Olympics. Athletes aren't there to observe the government, but to kick their ass in crew (basketball if they are from the US). Not that I'm supporting the ban, but that's not why they are there.

Let them rap about the crap after they come home.

Rebellion · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 10:17 AM

That's the government's right, though it's also the athletes right to collectively refuse to adhere. If I were them I would arrange with as many of the athletes as possible to criticize the government about a week before the Olympics. Then the government could decide between not fielding an Olympic team or caving.

lunecat · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 10:43 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7237227.stm

Quote:

British Olympic officials have insisted there is no intention to gag athletes from making political comment in China during the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Quote:

UK Olympians had been required to sign contracts which would have prohibited political demonstrations or propaganda.

But the British Olympic Association (BOA) has said it will now look again at the wording of the draft agreement.

The NuLabour Government and it Stalanist leader Gordon Brown have been brow beaten into not censoring the athletes into critisising his fellow commrades

usgrant7 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenaxFlatulus

There's more to the story, if you want to read for yourself. Here's the link to the full article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...e_id=1770&ct=5

I think that all the athletes should refuse to sign that document! Period. And if they aren't allowed in country, China will be embarassed and shamed for attempting to surpress the thoughts of otheres.

I think we should all invite a Chinese Naitonals here in the United States over for dinner and make them sign a pledge not to speak unless spoken to, while in our homes.

Great thread.

lunecat · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Spielberg boycotts Olympic role

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7242016.stm

Quote:

US film director Steven Spielberg has withdrawn as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

In a statement, Mr Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual.

"At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."

He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."

We said that man! (even if you are a Clinton loving donkey)

What on earth the UK Olympic committee was thinking of, is beyond me! Was there any UK Government pressure for the Olympic committee to introduce this clause to protect UK business and not offend "our friends" the Chineese? Has any other Nation tried to introduce this kind of 'gagging order' to its atheletes before?

DuH2 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:05 PM

It should be rejected and if China insist then the Olympics should be boycotted.

Maybe they will try to make the USA dip its flag during the ceremonies. That won't happen ever. The US flag is never dipped to any foreign leader. So it would set off a storm if they tried.

Quote:

The Nazi salute was far worse than this. That was actively condoning the regime.

It wasn't required by the Nazi Government in the 36 Olympics. The national athletes that did it where widely (*)(*)(*)(*)ed by their various nations..especially the French.

Quote:

Over 5,000 athletes from 51 nations then marched in according to alphabetical order, with Greece leading the whole parade and the host country, Germany, at the end. But even the opening ceremony was not without controversy - the question being whether athletes would give the Nazi salute to Hitler as they passed by his reviewing stand. There was some confusion over this issue, since the Olympic salute with right arm held out sideways from the shoulder could also be mistaken for the Hitler stiff-arm salute. Most countries gave either one or the other. Austrian athletes gave the Hitler salute. French athletes thrilled the German audience by giving the Hitler salute, although some French athletes later claimed it was the Olympic salute. The Bulgarians outdid everyone by goose-stepping past the Führer. The British and Americans chose a military style 'eyes right' with no arm salute.

The flag bearer of every nation was supposed to dip their country's flag while passing by the Führer and the Olympic officials. The American flag bearer upset many Germans in the audience by ignoring this, adhering to the U.S. custom of only dipping to the President of the United States and no one else.

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar...r-olympics.htm

On a side note the movie 'Olympia' by Leni Riefenstahl is probably the best Olympics films ever made..she also did 'Triumph of the Will' largely regarded as the best propaganda movie ever made.

justabubba · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:19 PM

so i assume all of those who want our athletes to be able to speak freely in china while participating in the Olympics were similarly supportive of Tommie Smith and John Carlos when they expressed their opinion during the '68 Olympics in mexico city ... good for you ... i'm especially pleased that duh would be so understanding of black protest

again, BRAVO Steven Spielberg for his willingness to take an honorable stand

DuH2 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:51 PM

So do you agree with it or not?

..and do tell justabubba why you think I disagreed with that. I'd like to know. If you can remember wtf your point is....

(do you read anything I put..because so far you're oblivious to points.)

Maybe I should put out a 1-900 for you and your obsession with me..least I'll get a quarter or two out of this BS.

EiregoSod · #10 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 02:22 PM

sour grapes, some people (including the Walmartians) will be disappointed that the Chinese will be putting on the best Olympics ever.

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