IOC: Don't Boycott Chinese Olympics Over Tibet
by Chris V. Thangham.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge requested that various nations do not over-react to China’s crackdown in Tibet and boycott the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
China is coming down hard in Tibet after a peaceful monk protest turned deadly with more than
100 deaths reported so far. As a result, many countries and
organizations want to boycott the next Olympics held in Beijing in 2008.
Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is trying to
diffuse the situation and is advising against the calls to boycott. He spoke at a news conference at the Olympic Museum of Puerto Rico, in Salinas, Puerto Rico and said:
"We believe that the boycott doesn't solve anything…On the contrary. It is penalizing innocent athletes and it is stopping the organization from something that definitely is worthwhile organizing."
If the violence continues in Tibet or if reports surface about the harsh treatment of the monks and
Tibetans ,then there will be more calls for a boycott. Also, some countries may bow out from participating in the next Olympics.
Should the international community boycott the 2008 Olympics because of China's treatment of Tibetans? Should politics be separated from sports?
IOC: Don't Boycott Chinese Olympics Over Tibet
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