"Olympic kow-tow" UK forcing athletes to sign contract banning criticism of Chinese regime

Nazi Salute being given by England team in 1936 Olympics. Photo from UK Daily Mail. This is what Bud has in mind, has even told you so.

• "British Olympic chiefs are to force athletes to sign a contract promising not to speak out about (Communist) China's appalling human rights record – or face being banned from traveling 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.

• Prince Charles has already let it be known that he will not be going to China, even if he is invited by Games organisers....

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.

The clause, in section 4 of the contract, simply states: “[Athletes] are not to comment on any politically sensitive issues.”

• It then refers competitors to Section 51 of the International Olympic Committee charter, which “provides for no kind of demonstration, or political, religious or racial propaganda in the Olympic sites, venues or other areas”.

The controversial decision to award the Olympics to Beijing means this year's Games have the potential to be the most politically charged since 1936.

• Adolf Hitler used the Munich Games that year to glorify his Nazi regime, although his claims of Aryan superiority were undermined by black American athlete Jesse Owens winning four gold medals.

Former Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent has already criticised the Chinese authorities over

• the training methods used on children, which he regarded as tantamount to abuse.

• Young gymnasts told him they were repeatedly beaten during training sessions.

Mr Clegg confirmed that such criticisms would be banned under the team's code of conduct, which will be in force from when athletes are selected in July, until the end of the Games on August 24."

• From Daily Mail (UK) article by Rob Draper and Daniel King, "Olympic Kow Tow as British Athletes are Forced to Sign Contracts Banning Criticism of Chinese Regime," 2/10/08. Via The Drudge Report.

P.S. Hell no, we won't go. I hope all baseball players will insist on a clause in their contracts saying they won't set foot in Communist China. Starting with Chien Ming Wang in his arbitration meeting with the Yankees because they wouldn't give him the extra 10 cents he asked for. (sm)

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