CovOps
Location : Ether-Sphere Job/hobbies : Irrationality Exterminator Humor : Über Serious
| Subject: Britain kow tows to China as athletes are forced to sign no criticism contracts Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:29 pm | |
| British Olympic chiefs are to force athletes to sign a contract promising not to speak out about China's appalling human rights record – or face being banned from travelling to Beijing.
The move – which raises the spectre of the order given to the England football team to give a Nazi salute in Berlin in 1938 – immediately provoked a storm of protest.
The controversial clause has been inserted into athletes' contracts for the first time and forbids them from making any political comment about countries staging the Olympic Games.
It is contained in a 32-page document that will be presented to all those who reach the qualifying standard and are chosen for the team.
From the moment they sign up, the competitors – likely to include the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and world record holder Paula Radcliffe – will be effectively gagged from commenting on China's politics, human rights abuses or illegal occupation of Tibet.
Prince Charles has already let it be known that he will not be going to China, even if he is invited by Games organisers.
His views on the Communist dictatorship are well known, after this newspaper revealed how he described China's leaders as “appalling old waxworks” in a journal written after he attended the handover of Hong Kong. The Prince is also a long-time supporter of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader.
Yesterday the British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that any athlete who refuses to sign the agreements will not be allowed to travel to Beijing.
Should a competitor agree to the clause but then speak their mind about China, they will be put on the next plane home.
Link
Disgusting! |
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RR Phantom
Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
| Subject: Re: Britain kow tows to China as athletes are forced to sign no criticism contracts Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:51 am | |
| - CovOps wrote:
- .Prince Charles has already let it be known that he will not be going to China, even if he is invited by Games organisers.
Cheers, Charlie! :Hats Off:
Perhaps we should send him an invite? |
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CovOps
Location : Ether-Sphere Job/hobbies : Irrationality Exterminator Humor : Über Serious
| Subject: Re: Britain kow tows to China as athletes are forced to sign no criticism contracts Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:34 pm | |
| First time I know of, that I agree with that human-tampon... |
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CovOps
Location : Ether-Sphere Job/hobbies : Irrationality Exterminator Humor : Über Serious
| Subject: NZ: Govt accepts bar on athletes talking politics Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:01 pm | |
| The Government says it is comfortable with plans to make New Zealand's Olympic athletes sign contracts pledging not to comment on political issues while in China.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4400029a11.html
Scum! |
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| Subject: Re: Britain kow tows to China as athletes are forced to sign no criticism contracts | |
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