The British Olympic Committee announced today that it "does not have intention of gagging "its athletes during the Games in Beijing 2008. Yesterday, the same British Olympic Association (BOA), the Olympic Committee of the channel, announced the existence of a contractual clause that would have banned members of the British Olympic team express political opinions, by word or by any other act during these Olympics.
"Clearly, the instructions were misinterpreted and recognize that were open to incorrect interpretations," he said today Grahan Newsom, the BOA spokesman: "There 'is the intention of gagging anyone. We are trying to reflect what has been entered in the Olympic Charter, "said Newsom.
Simon Clegg, chief executive the BOA, has agreed to an over-zealous interpretation of the Olympic Charter. "It is not our intention to limit free speech for athletes," said the manager, "and the final agreement will reflect that respect." Despite the clarification
looks like a step back from the British Olympic Committee, Newsom has ensured that the gag order is never gone. "The reality is that historically we have always had very strong views and independent," said the spokesman, "we are totally different from the government. We do not receive government funding and we form our own opinions."
The BOA has sent its athletes to a set of instructions aimed at enforcing Regulation of the Games, the IOC approved, the ban on the tenor of comments from political, religious or racial within the official venues of the Beijing Olympics 2008. Newsom said that such guidelines are in force for at least twenty years.
The sudden turn of the BOA has come, therefore, less than 24 hours after the revelation made by the British Sunday Mail on Sunday, became aware of the existence of the controversial clause. Included in the contract imposed as a condition for British athletes selected for the next Games, was conceived as a written promise not to criticize the host the 2008 Olympics. A silence mandatory penalty of exclusion from the Games, which is required in order to avoid diplomatic incidents and its international embarrassment. Immediate
the protests of many politicians and activists. Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat leader, accused the Olympic Committee to abdicate in the face of "moral responsibility", while even the shadow Culture minister, Jeremy Hunt, has called the development "an excess of zeal." Just as the hard positions taken by organizations such as Liberty ("Put a muzzle athletes would be anti-British as well as anti-Olympics") and Amnesty International. "People in China can not sue the non-respect of human rights for fear of repression - the words of Tim Hancock - each of us to decide what to say, the same is true for athletes."
in the face of criticism such as the BOA, initially worried that the athletes exploit the Olympics to launch a sounding political messages, so was forced to backtrack. While reiterating that there was no intention of censorship, the general manager Simon Clegg has announced a review of the 'contract' with the athletes. "I agree that the interpretation of a part of the agreement between the BOA and the team athletes seems to have overcome the conditions required by the Olympic Committee - said Clegg - It was not our intention to restrict the freedom of the athletes, and the revision of the show. "
How Britain other countries (notably Belgium and New Zealand) have closed the mouths of their athletes, unlike Countries such as USA, Australia and Canada who have decided not to limit freedom of speech to their squad. Initiative, the British, even more amazing when you consider that the same Prince Charles, heir to the throne in more than one occasion did not hesitate to openly criticize China, especially the annexation of Tibet, and has also already formalized its no controversy for me in Beijing Games next August.
HERE BELGIUM
In January, the Belgian Olympic Committee announced that the athletes of the delegation who will not touch issues of human rights or policy in any of the facilities designer "Beijing 2008", from the Olympic Village to the ski race through canteens and-release centers. Once out of the "bubble" Olympic, the expedition members will be able to express themselves freely provided for Belgian discuss issues "relevant to the personal level." "Not participating in the Games will be allowed to express a political opinion in the Olympic venues," he made it clear in a note to the Belgian Committee. The limitations of freedom decided by the Belgian Olympic Committee also extend to any sign of protest against the human rights situation in China. The Belgian committee was called "deeply convinced that the Games will have a positive influence on social development in a country like China."
The announcement of the Belgian Olympic Committee had arrived in 24 hours from the meeting President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Belgian Jacques Rogge, and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. During the visit of Ban Ki-moon in Lausanne, Rogge had given the support of Olympic and international sports community to the efforts of the UN in various issues of global concern. During the meeting, was also touched upon the theme of the Beijing Olympics. Rogge and Ban Ki-moon had discussed the positive effects that the Games will have on China's economic and social development, bringing social and economic such as the shift from printed to South Korea 1988 Seoul Olympics.
CHRISTIAN GIORDANO
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