On the eve of the Olympics in Beijing, China’s inept responses to issues of Internet access, security and air pollution have many holding their breath, literally and metaphorically. Of greater concern to many athletes is the Chinese Communist Party’s failure to fulfil its promise of improving its miserable human rights record.
Globally, athletes have been voicing some opinions while many are silently focussing on their events. Recent reports from Germany of nine athletes posing with pictures of Chinese dissidents in front of their faces, while dressed in their sports outfits, are an example of what we may reasonably expect – along with fierce competitiveness –from the Olympians in the ensuing weeks.
Australian Olympian Michelle Engelsman was MC on July 30 and 31 for Amnesty International’s invitation to tear down the “Great Firewall of China” brick by brick and said how she was torn by the Beijing Olympics.
“As an Olympian, I feel quite torn about the Olympics in China because I am very passionate about human rights, but I am also very passionate about the Olympics,” said the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 swimmer to The Epoch Times.
Ms Engelsman pointed out that these Games are not in line with the Olympic charter with respect to human rights and a celebration of unity and humanity.
“IOC handled this and I think it has been very interesting that one of the conditions of China gaining the Olympics was that they improved human rights and yet the International Olympic Committee won’t take a strong stand,” she said. “That seems a little bit hypocritical, so I would really like to see the IOC not only to make countries improve their human rights, but also follow it through.”
While images of smog-wreathed stadia may be a mirror for the global community to examine for themselves regarding carbon emissions, Ms Engelsman says that the athletes are aware of what they face.
“I would say the pollution has been well covered, so any athletes would be quite aware of the issue with regards to competition. It is a level playing field in that regard.”
As a part of Australia’s Olympic campaign in two previous Games and just failing to qualify for Beijing, Ms Engelsman would naturally have many friends who will compete during August 8 to 24.
“Some care passionately, but are well aware of Chinese law. It might not be in their best interest to make a statement. There are those that have chosen to focus entirely on sport and believe that is what the Olympics are about, and also recognise that if they bring human rights into their sport then they may not be able to focus on their sport. They really want to achieve given the amount of years they have focussed.”
She also said that there are “groups that are just not interested – they don’t know”.
“Athletes can say what they want to say and they can also blog about what they want to blog about. We hear about the great firewall of China, so what they blog about and what will actually make it through, who knows?”
“As for whether or not athletes will actually say anything, who knows?”
Globally, athletes have been voicing some opinions while many are silently focussing on their events. Recent reports from Germany of nine athletes posing with pictures of Chinese dissidents in front of their faces, while dressed in their sports outfits, are an example of what we may reasonably expect – along with fierce competitiveness –from the Olympians in the ensuing weeks.
Australian Olympian Michelle Engelsman was MC on July 30 and 31 for Amnesty International’s invitation to tear down the “Great Firewall of China” brick by brick and said how she was torn by the Beijing Olympics.
“As an Olympian, I feel quite torn about the Olympics in China because I am very passionate about human rights, but I am also very passionate about the Olympics,” said the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 swimmer to The Epoch Times.
Ms Engelsman pointed out that these Games are not in line with the Olympic charter with respect to human rights and a celebration of unity and humanity.
“IOC handled this and I think it has been very interesting that one of the conditions of China gaining the Olympics was that they improved human rights and yet the International Olympic Committee won’t take a strong stand,” she said. “That seems a little bit hypocritical, so I would really like to see the IOC not only to make countries improve their human rights, but also follow it through.”
While images of smog-wreathed stadia may be a mirror for the global community to examine for themselves regarding carbon emissions, Ms Engelsman says that the athletes are aware of what they face.
“I would say the pollution has been well covered, so any athletes would be quite aware of the issue with regards to competition. It is a level playing field in that regard.”
As a part of Australia’s Olympic campaign in two previous Games and just failing to qualify for Beijing, Ms Engelsman would naturally have many friends who will compete during August 8 to 24.
“Some care passionately, but are well aware of Chinese law. It might not be in their best interest to make a statement. There are those that have chosen to focus entirely on sport and believe that is what the Olympics are about, and also recognise that if they bring human rights into their sport then they may not be able to focus on their sport. They really want to achieve given the amount of years they have focussed.”
She also said that there are “groups that are just not interested – they don’t know”.
“Athletes can say what they want to say and they can also blog about what they want to blog about. We hear about the great firewall of China, so what they blog about and what will actually make it through, who knows?”
“As for whether or not athletes will actually say anything, who knows?”
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