ANCAPS Good News: OZschwitz: Beijing athletes ungagged

AUSTRALIANS competing at the Beijing Olympics have been given an extraordinary right of written permission to express their opinions, including on human rights and other issues. But political protests in Games venues are still banned.

In a world first, the Australian Olympic Committee executive committee yesterday changed the rules surrounding its team agreement and media policy to incorporate freedom of speech and relax its previously tough restrictions on what athletes can say when talking to the media.

The team agreements for the 440 Australian team members will now state: "Accredited persons at the Games may of course express their opinions including on human rights and other such issues provided they follow the Australian Team's A.S.P.I.R.E. values set out in Clause 14 of the Team Agreement. Such expression of opinions and the conduct of participants should be inspired by full compliance with the Olympic Charter."

The "aspire" values deal with respect and dignity of other athletes.

In a second dramatic change, the AOC executive board yesterday agreed to drop its clause banning athletes from talking about anything other than their performances. Team members can express opinions "provided they follow the A.S.P.I.R.E. values and are inspired by full compliance with the Olympic Charter".

This week the Herald revealed that a possible competitor, the road cyclist Cadel Evans, wore a "Free Tibet" T-shirt in a Belgian road race last month. Such protests are banned for Beijing.

The AOC president, John Coates, said the changes gave clarification. Issues could be raised at mixed zones, in press conferences and media interviews, and in internet blogs but "we rely on the common sense of athletes in showing respect for the dignity of fellow athletes, including those of the host country".

LNK

So the pressure paid off!

Nya, nya, nya!

ANCAPS Good News: OZschwitz: Beijing athletes ungagged

ANCAPS Good News: OZschwitz: Beijing athletes ungagged

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