Australian athletes allowed to speak out on Tibet and Human Rights

Saturday, 10 May 2008

If any of the athletes had the balls they would boycott the games altogether, this would be there greatest freedom of speech. This would be the greatest demonstration and symbol of discontent that the world could possibly show the oppressive Chinese government. But hell no sport comes way ahead of human rights, what a sick society we live in.

Posted by: Matthew Dilosa, Leura

Saturday, 10 May 2008

Matthew, athletes should NOT boycott the Olympics...POLITICIANS SHOULD. Athletics is not about politics. Athletes train for years. Politicians are paid mongrels. Get a sense of perspective. Mind you I can't see whimpee Rudd boycotting anything, he's gutless.

Posted by: Geoff Bolton, Lane Cove

Saturday, 10 May 2008

I'm glad the athletes can speak freely . Although I disagree in principle with the AOC disallowing political protests inside games venues, I can understand why. I think its about respect for the instituion of the olympics. Its like criticising another religion - you can do it outside but to do inside the church, synagogue, temple or mosque is just disrespectful. This could be a unique opportunity for the world to bring change to China - lets see them get the tanks if its westerners protesting.

Posted by: Concerned Liberal, Minto

Saturday, 10 May 2008

Why is everyone concerned about Human Rights elsewhere - shouldn't our own people have the right to be protected?-I find all of this a lot of rubbish when the rights of this country and it's people are being taken away by the politicians and the unions.Politicians who get paid and do nothing-there is no justice, the law stinks, the govt department's stink and the politicians are on the nose as they do sweet FA! I have yet to see a Local Member do the right thing for a constituent!!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Saturday, 10 May 2008

China is paranoid, and as a result it has made itself look worse. The Olympic flame and its guards made it a target. They are heavily censoring any news going into China even from HK television is delayed and a advertisement is run over any unacceptable news about the Dalai Lama or torch protests like Shenzen this week, except their own. There is no freedom of speech. China Foreign office is out of control. If China has controlled Tibet for 700 years, what were they doing?

Posted by: Andy Mac, Singapore

Saturday, 10 May 2008

While I recognize this is a breakthrough of a sort, I would rather that it were not necessary. I also don't want the protests to involve events. But rather than protests, which I am happy to have if they are peaceful, I would much rather have China reform. The world does not need a pirate nation. It isn't just Tibet.

Posted by: Indie Fatigue ah Ball, Carramar/Sydney

Saturday, 10 May 2008

It's utter rubbish-sport and politics don't mix - isn't that part of the olympic oath-I really get bloody sick of these do gooders making it such a big issue-you should have had the bullshit stopped long ago it's too late now that China has been selected as the host nation-next time keep it in Greece that's where the sport began-it's almot reached a stage where you have sports people changing road rules-Just do it!the taxpayer pays your way to train - give them some credit to see the result!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Sunday, 15 June 2008

At the end of the day, the question really lies, if China isn't fit to host the Olympic games, then why the hell choose it in the first place? It's extremely ironic. Why pick a country thats "violates the Olympic Charter" so much to hold the olympics in, and then turn around and critisize it? People forget China is still has right as a communist country. Human rights aside, is it justified that democratic countries force their policies on to China? Isn't that not paying respect either?

Posted by: Lisa S, Essex