In response to the International Olympic Committee’s decision to award the 2022 Olympic Games to China, the International Tibet Network said:
"The IOC has sent the wrong message to the wrong people at the wrong time. China wants the world to ignore its deteriorating human rights and be impressed by Chinese can-do pragmatism instead. That’s exactly what the IOC has done. Whatever the IOC wants or says, the message heard loud and clear in Beijing is that human rights and Tibet don’t matter. The honour of a second Olympic Games is a propaganda gift to China when what it needs is a slap in the face.
"Many people will remember how Tibet campaigners made our presence felt in the run-up to 2008. We hope that positive change in Tibet in the next seven years will mean that we don’t have to use the Olympics to highlight Tibet’s cause again – but in giving this honour to this regime at this time, the IOC has set back hopes of progress for Tibetans and everyone under Beijing’s rule. It’s a tragic misjudgement."
In response to the decision, a protest is taking place at International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne today [video available, 1]. Campaigners, including former political prisoner Golog Jigme [2], who had sent a personal appeal to IOC members to reject the bid, are outside the building carrying banners saying "Stop Beijing 2022" and "No more bloody Games".
Golog Jigme said:
"I hope my fellow Tibetans in Tibet do not pay a price in 2022 like the one I and others paid for the Olympic Games in 2008. I am deeply sorry that the IOC has rejected pleas from Tibetan, Chinese and so many other human rights defenders to keep the Games from Beijing. They must now accept responsibility for that decision and that includes withdrawing the honour of the Games from China if it continues its repression in Tibet."
For more information, contact:
London, UK (GMT + 1hr):
Alistair Currie, Free Tibet
E: Alistair@freetibet.org
T: +44 (0)780 165 4011 (Alternate: +44 (0)207 324 4605)
Dharamsala, India, (GMT + 5.30hrs):
Tenzin Jigdal, International Tibet Network
E: jigdal@tibetnetwork.org
T: +988 225 5516
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Utah’s Olympic venues an integral part of the equation as Salt Lake City seeks a Winter Games encore
IOC president tells Olympic Movement “we will again have safe and secure Olympic Games” in Beijing
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
IOC president details Olympic community efforts to get Afghans out of danger after Taliban return to power
North Korea suspended by IOC for failing to participate in Tokyo though its athletes could still take part in Beijing 2022
