Beijing Olympics 2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who on an official visit to Austria, said Friday boycotting the Beijing Olympic 2008 was not the right way.
At a press conference held here, Sarkozy said the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games is a “very serious” theme and people should promote an international dialogue with the political leadership in Beijing instead of easily boycotting this big international sport event.
Austrian Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said “I basically do not think it is a good idea to boycott Olympics.”
During Sarkozy’s visit, he discussed with Austrian leaders the problem of European integration, the use and exploitation of nuclear energy as well as some other internal and international affairs.

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China on Tuesday urged the French side to consider and reflect upon opinions and sentiments of expressed by some Chinese people on the Internet, noting there must reasons for them.
“Some Chinese people have expressed their opinions and feelings recently. All these are by no means accidental, and the French side need to ponder and reflect upon them,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a press conference.
Jiang made the remarks when she was asked to comment on netizens’ call on the Internet urging the Chinese public to boycott French goods following disruptions of the Olympic torch relay in Paris.
“I believe these people will abide by laws and regulations in expressing their reasonable appeals,” Jiang said.
As for China-France ties, Jiang said it needs both sides’ efforts to be friends. The Chinese cannot accept France promising to value China-France ties on one hand, while witnessing occurrence of things “incomprehensible and unacceptable” for Chinese people from time to time, she added.
“I hope the French side will give audience to the Chinese people and take an objective, impartial stance on the recent issues,” said Jiang, calling for respect for facts, making a clear distinction between right and wrong and understanding and supporting the just stance and measures taken by the Chinese government like the majority of countries in the world.
Jiang stressed that China attached great importance to the strategic cooperative partnership with France.
“We hope various circles in France could cherish the friendly ties with their real actions, and create favorable conditions and make positive efforts and contributions for the further development of the ties, “she said.

from: xinhuanet.com

Government leaders and scholars around the world have voiced their support for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, condemning deeds of disrupting the Olympic torch relay and saying the sabotage attempts are doomed to fail.
Ukraine’s former president Leonid Kravchuk said in Kiev on Tuesday that the Olympics is a great sports party for the whole world and is also an arena of friendly exchanges.
“Tibet is an inalienable part of China, and any attempt to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Games by using the Tibet issue violates the Olympic spirit and the will of people around the world,” Kravchuk said.
Dao Duy Quat, vice director of Vietnam’s Communist Party Central Commission on Ideology and Culture, said that any attempt to obstruct the Olympic Games violates the Olympic spirit and runs against the common aspiration of the whole world for peace and progress.
He said that Vietnam has been doing everything to ensure the Olympic torch relay in Ho Chi Minh City a success.
Latvian Parliament member Ivan Klementev, who won a gold medal in the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and also a two-time Olympic silver medallist, said in an interview with Xinhua that the Olympics is not held for politicians and government officials, but a festival for the athletes who have made preparations for four years.
The attempts by some politicians to politicize the Games and to boycott the event will never bring any positive results and the Beijing Olympics will definitely turn out as a great success, Klementev said.
Cuba strongly opposes any attempt to sabotage the Beijing Olympics, Cuba’s official newspapers cited Ricardo Alarcon, president of the National Assembly of People’s Power, the country’s legislature, as saying.
No matter how many times a lie is repeated, the fact can not be changed that Tibet has been a part of China, Alarcon said.
Phil Goff, New Zealand trade minister, said as the 2008 Olympics is drawing near, more attention should be focused on the athletes and the international community should work together to make the event a success.
In an article published in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Susan Brownell, an anthropologist at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, was quoted as saying that China will not only put up a good Olympics but is a worthy host in the best tradition of the Games.
U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley also criticized on Sunday the call by some countries to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

from: xinhuanet.com

BEIJING - Canadian pop star Celine Dion voiced her support for the upcoming Beijng Olympic Games here on Saturday, saying she was “definitely against boycotting” the Games.
“When you talk about the Olympics, you don’t say politics,” she said at a press conference. “We talk about power. We talk about love. And we talk about dreams.”
The Quebec native sang the theme song for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the “Power of the Dream”.
Dion called on all people to “keep the dream possible for our young kids”.
She came to Beijing to express support for the Games after her concert in Shanghai on Friday.
On Saturday, the chanteuse received a gift sculpture from Zhao Dongming, director of the cultural activities department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG).
On finding out the name of the sculpture, “eternal flame”, Dion said “keep the flame eternal.”

Canadian singer Celine Dion (R) and her husband Rene Angelil attend a TV program in Beijing, China, April 12, 2008. [Xinhua]

Many foreign governments and senior officials have expressed support for the Beijing Olympic Games, condemning the deeds of those disrupting the Olympic torch relay and politicizing the sports event.
Baleka Mbete, Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, said on Friday at a press conference for the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that appeals for boycotting the Olympics and disrupting the torch relay would never gain popular support.
She said any person with conscience would condemn such deeds of obstructing the Olympic Games that was a grand sports occasion for the entire human race.
IPU Secretary General Anders B. Johnsson also told the press conference that the IPU was strongly opposed to violent deeds and was against any act of obstructing the Olympic Games.
The Republic of Korea (ROK), Thailand, Peru, Afghanistan and many other countries also expressed support.

from: chinadaily.com.cn

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge on Tuesday condemned violent protests that target the Beijing Olympic torch relay, saying violence is by no means acceptable.
“The IOC definitely wants and wishes for the Olympic flame to be respected, because it is a very important symbol that unites people,” Rogge told Chinese reporters.
“We respect people who want to protest. This is the freedom of speech, freedom of expression. However, if you want to protest, it has to be peaceful,” added the IOC chief.
Despite disruptions by a few Tibetan separatists and their supporters during the London and Paris legs of the Olympic torch relay, there will be no change in the itinerary which includes carrying the flame to the highest peak on Earth, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) said.
The flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, on March 24 and is being relayed through 21 cities outside the Chinese mainland before being carried into the opening ceremony on August 8.

from: chinadaily.com.cn 

A Beijing Olympic official has strongly condemned the disruption of the Olympic torch relay in Paris by a very small number of “Tibet independence” secessionists and a handful of so-called human rights-minded NGO activists.
A spokesman of the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee said on Monday that the serious incident clearly showed that “Tibet independence” secessionists have been disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games in a planned, premeditate and organized way.
What the separatists have been doing are far from “peaceful” demonstrations, but attempts to foil the smooth relay of the Beijing Olympic torch through violent means, and has thus blasphemed the Olympic spirit, he said.
France is the hometown of Pierre De Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, said the spokesman. The large number of Paris residents turning out to welcome the Olympic sacred flame showed that the flame belongs to the people of the whole world.
The “Tibet independence” separatists’ malicious and open challenge of the Olympic spirit and the Olympic Charter has proved unpopular and is bound to fail, he said.
The Beijing Olympic Games is not only a grand event for the Chinese people, but also for people all over the world. It bears great significance for glorifying the Olympic spirit, spreading the Olympic culture and promoting the development of the Olympic Games, said the official, adding that the Beijing Olympic torch relay will surely win wide support from all peace-loving people across the world, and will not be thwarted by any force.

from: xinhuanet.com 

A Beijing Olympic official on Sunday strongly criticized the attempt by some “pro-Tibet independence” activists to sabotage the torch relay event in London, as an obvious act of defying the Olympic spirit.
A spokesman from the torch relay center of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee said that as the highest symbol of the Olympic spirit, the Olympic flame represents peace, friendship and progress. Under the authorization of the International Olympic Committee, the Beijing Olympic torch relay is taking its journey of harmony throughout the world, sharing the passion and glory of the Olympics with the world, and has received warm welcome from the people en route.
However, a few “pro-Tibet independence” activists attempted to sabotage the torch relay in London today, which is a serious violation of the Olympic spirit, as the Olympic flame belongs to the world, the spokesman said. The act will surely arouse the resentment of the peace-loving people, and is bound to fail, he added.

Local policeman clashes with a protester (bottom) during the Olympic torch relay in London, April 6, 2008.
A few “pro-Tibet independence” activists tried to sabotage the torch relay, stirring clashes with British police.
At least 25 people were arrested. (Xinhua/Qi Heng)

London welcomes the Beijing Olympic flame on Sunday as part of the global Olympic Torch Relay in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games. As a grand festival in London, tens of thousands of people lined the route of the relay to cheer the event, far outnumbering the protesters.
Yet some protesters tried to sabotage the torch relay, by trying to grab the torch or extinguish it, stirring clashes with British police. At least 25 people were arrested.
The torch is traveling through ten London boroughs from Wembley in the west to Greenwich in east London, with each borough marking its arrival with entertainment and local events, bringing London’s color and vibrancy to life while showcasing the capital’s famous landmarks.

from: xinhuanet.com

China is seriously concerned about and strongly discontented with a reported statement by the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the Beijing Olympics, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson here Thursday.
The spokesperson Jiang Yu made the remarks when asked to comment on the statement in which Pelosi said “I believe that International Olympic Committee made a mistake in awarding the 2008 Summer Games to China.”
Pelosi also said “a boycott of the Beijing Olympics would unfairly harm our athletes”, and she supports “the rights of individuals and groups to make their views known about the actions of the Chinese government” when the Olympic torch passes through San Francisco next month.
Jiang said it is the solemn decision made by the IOC to award the 2008 Summer Games to Beijing, which represents the universal aspiration of all the people across the world including the United States.
To ensure a smooth success of the torch relay in San Francisco is the common aspiration of both the Chinese and U.S. people and conforms to the interests of both sides, said Jiang.

“We urge concerned political figures of the United States to respect the spirit and principles of the Olympic Games, adopt a responsible attitude toward the Games and torch relay, and not to do anything that is against the people’s aspiration and will disturb and harm the Olympics and torch relay,” said Jiang.

from: xinhuanet.com 

More countries have voiced their opposition to the boycott of Beijing Olympics.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday that the Olympic Games are an important sporting occasion and is of great significance to the world.
He confirmed he will represent Britain at the Beijing Olympics and will be present at the welcoming ceremony when the Beijing Olympic flame arrives in London on Sunday.
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said his government opposes a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games and representatives of Denmark’s royal family and government will attend the event in August.
“Sports must not be confused with politics,” he said, adding that Denmark should send official delegates to Beijing in support of its athletes’ participation in the Olympics.
Earlier, Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller told reporters when attending a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Slovenia that it is wrong to threaten to boycott the Olympics and a boycott will deeply hurt the Chinese people.
Last Friday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said a boycott of Beijing Olympics is pointless. According to Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic’s spokesman Marek Trubac, the president believes sport has to tie not to divide and a boycott will only hurt athletes.
Also last Friday, Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish minister of foreign affairs and cooperation said that his country will be present at the Beijing Olympics in August.
“The Olympic Games are the best platform to eliminate controversies and crises and to start dialogue and so we shouldn’t be boycotting them,” he told reporters in EU foreign ministers meeting in Slovenia, noting that Spain is not in favor of a boycott.
Last Wednesday, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said he does not believe “a boycott of the Olympics is a sensible or the right thing to do,” and his country will not boycott the Beijing Olympics.
He added that the Olympics should be used to facilitate China’s engagement with other countries. The Olympics are a chance to put the spotlight on China but also to enhance China’s engagement with the international community, he said.

from: xinhuanet.com 

Most people in France believe their country should attend the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, according to a poll by Ifop published in L’Equipe. 60 per cent of respondents think France should not boycott the games to protest China’s human rights record and recent events in Tibet.
In 1949, the People’s Republic of China was established as a one-party state. In the 1980s, the ruling Communist Party of China (ZGD) loosened a series of authoritarian restrictions and allowed private enterprise for the first time in decades. The country currently has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, becoming a global exporter and a very attractive venue for foreign investors.
China’s human rights record has remained a concern. Several campaigners claim the communist regime continues to torture and execute people. The country’s rule over Tibet has also been a point of contention.
Earlier this month, Reporters Without Borders called on heads of state and governments to boycott the opening ceremonies of this year’s Olympic Games as a way to underline China’s poor treatment of human rights. Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin agrees with the idea, and has called on French president Nicolas Sarkozy to second it. 54 per cent of respondents would agree with French leaders boycotting the opening ceremony of the games.
On Mar. 25, French swimmer Alain Bernard discussed his views, saying, “Boycott the opening ceremony, why not? It would be a huge message from the politicians. Boycotting is a very delicate question. As a sportsman, we will have an important role to play because what we are going to produce there, our results, will attract the eyes of the world. After that side of things, boycotting becomes a political decision. It is very delicate for us.”
Also on Mar. 25, Daniel Bilalian, director of sports at France Televisions, said the network may boycott coverage of the Beijing Olympics if China bans the broadcast of footage from demonstrations against the games.

Polling Data

Due to China’s human rights record and recent events in Tibet, there have been some discussions about boycotting the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Should France boycott the Beijing 2008 Olympics?

Yes 39%
No 60%
Not sure 1%

If France takes part in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, do you think French leaders should boycott the opening ceremony?

Yes 54%
No 45%
Not sure 1%

Source: Ifop / L’Equipe
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,007 French adults, conducted on Mar. 20 and Mar. 21, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
from: angus-reid.com