Article

2008-02-10 Britain

Brit athletes banned from criticism of Chinese regime

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Posted by Steve White 2008-02-10 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 Well, hell - the British "elites" have rolled over for everybody else - why not the Chinese?

"As a team we are ambassadors of the country and we have to conform to an appropriate code of conduct."

Which in your case seems to be kissing the butts of every terrorist and dictator you can find.

That whirring sound you hear is Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher spinning in their graves. >:-(

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-02-10 00:39|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-02-10 00:39|| Front Page Top

#2 On the other hand, Avery Brundage is applauding from his coffin.

Posted by Eric Jablow">Eric Jablow 2008-02-10 01:37|| 2008-02-10 01:37|| Front Page Top

#3 #1. Best I can determine is that the "Iron Lady" is 82 and still breathing.

Posted by GK 2008-02-10 01:40|| 2008-02-10 01:40|| Front Page Top

#4 I doubt we'll hear any protestations from Bentonville, Wal-Mart probably provided the paper and pens for the signing free of charge.

Posted by Besoeker 2008-02-10 01:52|| 2008-02-10 01:52|| Front Page Top

#5 I'm glad to hear it, #2 GK. For some reason I thought she had died.

Though considering what's been going on in England the last decade or so, undoubtedly she's getting some pre-grave practice.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-02-10 02:05|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-02-10 02:05|| Front Page Top

#6 I'm split on this. For one, the Olympics should be about sport, not about advocating whatever fashionable political cause of the moment the empty-headed athletes support. On the other, this is typical Multicultural kowtowing to other cultures with repugnant practices.

If only there were some middle ground, like "athletes should have enough class to keep competition and politics seperate," but I know I'm in an unpopular position there.

Posted by gromky 2008-02-10 04:40|| 2008-02-10 04:40|| Front Page Top

#7 The Olympics about sport not politics? That hasn't been the case for a long time, if ever.

One of my favorite quotes is from an interview Jim MacKay did with Jesse Owens for Wide World of Sports in 1966 from the Berlin Olympic Stadium. MacKay asked Owens what thoughts he had about Hitler and all that had happened in that Olympics 30 years earlier.

Owens surveyed the stadium and the track and simply replied, "I'm here. He's not. That's good enough for me."

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-02-10 08:08|| 2008-02-10 08:08|| Front Page Top

#8 So if someone went to the Olympics and kept silent and then after the games went on a world tour to talk about what a nightmare it is, would the Olympics committee take the medals back? would the Athletes and the world will consider that person the winner because they won fair and square despite legalities? Would some corporation create a replacement medal for them, perhaps with a political statement on teh backside.

This has all the markings of a public relations nightmare for the Chinese. Pass the popcorn.

Posted by rjschwarz 2008-02-10 09:43|| 2008-02-10 09:43|| Front Page Top

#9 Instapundit links to this site, which describes some Brits (and Nepalis) who I suspect are closer to what Mrs. Thatcher (PBUH) has in mind.

Posted by Matt 2008-02-10 11:09|| 2008-02-10 11:09|| Front Page Top

#10 I would imagine talking about how bad the pollution is would fall under "political speech".

Posted by danking70 2008-02-10 12:03|| 2008-02-10 12:03|| Front Page Top

#11 IS this requirement unique to the Brits or are American atheletes expected to do the same? Anyone know?

Posted by NoMoreBS">NoMoreBS 2008-02-10 12:21|| 2008-02-10 12:21|| Front Page Top

#12 People still think the olympics are relevant?

Posted by Broadhead6 2008-02-10 18:10|| 2008-02-10 18:10|| Front Page Top

#13 Does anyone in the US even bother to watch any of it anymore? What's worse US broadcasters have paid for the majority of the IOC's income.

Posted by ed 2008-02-10 19:11|| 2008-02-10 19:11|| Front Page Top

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