Olympics Chief: Games Facing "Crisis"

Officials Struggling To Find The Joy, U.N. Chief Says He Won't Make Opening Ceremonies

(AP)  Crisis. Disarray. Sadness.

Four months before the opening of what was supposed to be the grandest Olympics in history, the head of the International Olympic Committee is using words that convey anything but a sense of joyous enthusiasm.

The protest-marred Olympic torch relay and international criticism of China's policies on Tibet, Darfur and human rights have turned the Beijing Games into one of the most politically charged in recent history and presented the IOC with one of its toughest tests since the boycott era of the 1970s and '80s.

"It is a crisis, there is no doubt about that," IOC President Jacques Rogge said Thursday. "But the IOC has weathered many bigger storms."

At the same time, Rogge called on China to respect its "moral engagement" to improve human rights and to fulfill promises of greater media freedom. He also reaffirmed the right of free speech for athletes at the Beijing Games.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman responded that IOC officials support adhering to the Olympic Charter and "not bringing any irrelevant political factors into the Beijing Olympics."

"I hope the IOC officials will continue to adhere to the principles set by the Olympic charter," Jiang Yu said.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told China's government that he may not attend the August's opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics because of scheduling issues, spokeswoman Marie Okabe said in a news conference.

Asked later whether Ban would not be attending the Olympics, spokeswoman Okabe said, "Yes. That's correct."

Rogge spoke in Beijing just hours after the completion of the torch relay in San Francisco, where the route was shortened and the flame diverted to prevent disruptions by massive crowds of anti-China protesters.

Rogge's use of the word "crisis" to describe the torch relay and the Beijing buildup came as a surprise. The Belgian orthopedic surgeon's comments usually are measured and low-key.

He cited previous crises - the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the boycotts of the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Games.

"The history of the Olympic Games is fraught by a lot of challenges," Rogge said. "This is a challenge but you cannot compare to what we had in the past."

British IOC member Craig Reedie believes the worst is over.

"I hope that we are through it now," he said. "I think the furor that has affected the torch in London, Paris and to some extent in San Francisco will now die down. ... But it is fair to say that this kind of political protest is a new experience for the IOC and we have all found it extremely uncomfortable."

After the chaos caused by pro-Tibet demonstrators during torch relays in London and Paris, IOC officials were relieved the North American leg passed without any injuries.

"Fortunately, the situation was better in San Francisco," Rogge said. "It was, however, not the joyous party that we had wished it to be.

"Athletes in many countries are in disarray and we need to reassure them," he added. "Our major responsibility is to offer them the games they deserve. ... We have 120 days to achieve this."

Earlier in the week, IOC officials had contemplated possibly cutting short the international leg of the relay, but Rogge said Thursday that was not an option.

"This scenario is definitely not on the agenda," he said. "We are studying together with (Beijing organizers) to improve the torch relay, but there is no scenario of either interrupting or bringing (the torch) back directly to Beijing."

That doesn't mean, however, that local officials still might not shorten existing routes if security demands it.

Already, the head of the committee organizing the torch run in Indonesia said the route will be significantly shortened because of Chinese concerns it might attract pro-Tibet protests.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang said officials may tweak the torch relay route to ensure order when the flame arrives April 30. He said 3,000 police will be deployed.

The flame will be carried through Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday, with a dozen other countries still to come. The relay also is expected to face demonstrations in New Delhi, India, which has a substantial Tibetan population, and possibly elsewhere on its 21-stop tour before arriving in mainland China on May 4. The Olympics begin Aug. 8.

Rogge, who has come under pressure from critics to speak out on China, was asked whether he had second thoughts about awarding the games to Beijing seven years ago.

"I've said that it is very easy with hindsight to criticize the decision," he said. "It's easy to say now that this was not a wise and a sound decision."

But Rogge insisted Beijing had "clearly the best bid" and offered the strong pull of taking the Olympics to a country with one-fifth of the world's population.

"That was the reasoning for awarding the bid to Beijing."

When Beijing was seeking the games, Rogge noted, Chinese officials said the Olympics would help advance social change, including human rights. He called that a "moral engagement" and stressed there was no "contractual promise whatsoever" on human rights in the official host city contract.

"I would definitely ask China to respect this moral engagement," Rogge said, in one of his most pointed comments on the subject.

Rogge reported having "very frank and open discussions" with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on a range of Olympic issues Wednesday. He declined to elaborate.

Rogge insisted that "a number of important points have been met" on human rights, including a new Chinese law enacted in 2007 that removed many restrictions on foreign journalists. But he said the law had not been fully implemented and he was urging Chinese officials to do so "as soon as possible."

Rogge refused to be drawn on the prospect of top world leaders snubbing the Beijing opening ceremony. Besides Ban, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not be attending the opening, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy is considering staying away. U.S. Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have called on President Bush to boycott the ceremony.

"Politicians have to make their decisions themselves," Rogge said. "The IOC will not intervene in this matter."

Rogge sought to reassure athletes that they are free to express their political opinions - as long as they do so away from official Olympic venues in Beijing.

Rogge said free expression has been enshrined in the Olympic Charter for more than 40 years as a "basic human right." However, the charter also forbids any "demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" in any Olympic sites or venues.

"I'm very clear on the fact that athletes have ample opportunities to express themselves without hindrance, but just by respecting the sacred environment of the Olympic village, the Olympic venues the podium and so forth," he said.

[keithle1]

"..the grandest Olympics in history.." Huh?

[shanev137]

Just take a minute and visualize all the athletes who have trained for years for this event....all their training and suffering to try and win a gold medal in their sport.

Now, go ahead and take that whole vision and shred it, and ruin it, and flush it down the toilet because of some stupid politics.

Makes you want to be an Olympian, doesn''t it.

[tulcak]

how can the megalithic voice of opposition against human rights violations by China be ignored by the IOC? what is it about people in leadership positions nowadays? what has to happen for those in leadership positions to finally listen? catastrophe? disaster? its absolutely insane...

[iamauto]

Let''s go to Iraq and make China another Iraq.

[fsimms]

I just wonder how China was elected to host the Olympic games, with a record of years of human rights violation.

[fsimms]

I just wonder hoe China got elected to host the 2008 Olympic Games, with a record of years of human rights violation.

[prinzowhales]

Take your games and shove ''em!... ''wish Dolly Partin would set it to music...

[tulcak]

Now, go ahead and take that whole vision and shred it, and ruin it, and flush it down the toilet because of some stupid politics.
Posted by shanev137
___________________

Do you think the people in China suffering the human rights abuses think that the politics are stupid?
oh gosh, those stupid protesters are ruining everything. Why can''t those dam people quit exercising their freedom of speech and let us all ignore the human rights abuses. Whey don''t they pick up guns instead?
YOU ARE AN IDIOT

[timrek10567]

The IOC is a bunch of thugs.
Set this right by launching them into space.

The IOC knew what China was before they sold out and put the games there. China isnt the fault here.. yes they are horrible, but they havent changed... insetad they were rewarded with the games.

Cancel the games in China, and hold them in NY. Yes, thats right. NY can handle the sudden need (okay it wont be perfect, but ut can be done).

[swwils]

This whole world is in a crisis,they need to just cancel the summer games.Concentrate on Human Rights,and the worlds oil consumption.Personally,I don''t care right now,who can out run a clock,or out swim a dolphin.I have real concerns for my children''s today,and tomorrow.I feel bad for the athlete''s who train all the time for these events.I also feel more for the people of Tibet,and their treatment.

[omnibus66]

You can be sure that Bush will be there for the opening ceremonies. Anyone who cheers murder, torture, war, and the widespread distribution of misery in general is a real Communist China kind of guy.

[omnibus66]

You can be sure that Bush will be there for the opening ceremonies. Anyone who cheers murder, torture, war, and the widespread distribution of misery in general is a real Communist China kind of guy.

[tdcptrm]

Im really don''t care if Bush goes or not because I won''t be seeing it. I''m not tuning in. If the rest of the world joins me then we can really send a message to both the IOC and China. I know it will be difficult for our sports crazed world to do it, but let''s make this the least watched olympics in history. Just don''t turn the TV on for the entire time of the olympics. It will be summer so there will be a lot of other things to do anyway.

[coco0331]

I think this is the wrong thing to do to China. This isn''t the time and place for the U.S. to show any resistance. Considering the hundreds of thousands of people that have been killed in Iraq and the U.S. position of instigation of civil war and an occupying enemy force. Before we pass judgement on the Chinese government we might look in a mirror? I''m sure they don''t think their doing to bad since being chosen most favored trade nation. The olympics are a time to unite together.

[drivelphobe]

Maybe it''s time to eliminate the Olympic games. Do we really need to spend millions and millions of dollars to find a face for the cereal box? Does anyone care except athletes seeking celebrity status and those who profit from the games? I wouldn''t miss them but I don''t count anyway because I''m just a taxpaying Citizen of the USA whose vote doesn''t count either. Where''s the fence?

[pollroller1]

Why don''t we have a world wide event for teachers and nurses? Why can''t we spend money on education instead of sports? Why can''t we build schools instead of arenas? Sorry, but I just don''t get it. They pay millions a year to athletes
but can''t pay teachers and nurses a decent wage. Something is wrong with this picture.

[docpeter-2009]

Why punish the Chinese People because of their empowered government. This only places you at the same level as the terrorists such as Al-Q, Hez., etc. The terrorists think that by killing innocent civilians they are killing the government they oppose, this is not the case, they are killing innocent people, the government survives.

I married a Chinese woman five years ago. I brought her into the USA legally from mainland China. She and her daughter are the sweetest two women you could ever imagine or hope to meet. I have made two trips to China and look forward to returning next year. The people there treated me very well, almost royally.

It is not the majority of the people who should suffer because of different views caused by the few in the government. And if the Olympics are boycotted it is the general population that will suffer not the government officials.

[docpeter-2009]

Why punish the Chinese People because of their empowered government. This only places you at the same level as the terrorists such as Al-Q, Hez., etc. The terrorists think that by killing innocent civilians they are killing the government they oppose, this is not the case, they are killing innocent people, the government survives.

I married a Chinese woman five years ago. I brought her into the USA legally from mainland China. She and her daughter are the sweetest two women you could ever imagine or hope to meet. I have made two trips to China and look forward to returning next year. The people there treated me very well, almost royally.

It is not the majority of the people who should suffer because of different views caused by the few in the government. And if the Olympics are boycotted it is the general population that will suffer not the government officials.

Oh yes, I know that by boycotting the Olympics we will be sending a message to the government that the world doesn''t appreciate what you are doing. The government doesn''t hear except what they want to hear. The same message was attempted by OBL on 9-11 and look at what has resulted from that message.

[papabc]

OK! Lets cancel the Games for this time and move onto the text country to be protested. Then we can cancel the games there.

Unless the games are held in a Far Left Liberal Country, In which case we can all go to sleep out of boredom.

[lochlan-2009]

You can be sure that Bush will be there for the opening ceremonies. Anyone who cheers murder, torture, war, and the widespread distribution of misery in general is a real Communist China kind of guy.

Posted by omnibus66

You can count on that.

[papabc]

Why don''''t we have a world wide event for teachers and nurses? Why can''''t we spend money on education instead of sports? Why can''''t we build schools instead of arenas?
\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Who would want to see it, academic Olympics? Most people need some kind of action for entertainment value

[papabc]

Olympics Chief: Games Facing "Crisis"
Officials Struggling To Find The Joy, U.N. Chief Says He Won''t Make Opening Ceremonies..
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Unless you please the Far Left 100% then they will make world wide peace events a pain in the backside for everyone that might want to enjoy seeing others at their best. Does not matter if it is the Olympics for some other event. The liberal left will try to interrupt the enjoyment of the event by most others.

Their agenda most come first.

[lorinkundert]

I would have thought the IOC would have learned a lesson from Hitler and not allowed the games to be held in Nations controlled by brutal regimes. Those qualifications need to be readdressed.

[pugster]

What''s the deal with bashing China over Tibet and Darfur recently? I thought ''Save Darfur'' wanted to pressure US and the UN 2 years ago now they are using China as a scapecoat on a go-alone campagain? This whole ''Human Rights'' accusation is totally baseless as the Western Media couldn''t prove human rights violation today against them.

[speakinup]

Politics are impossible to avoid, in any meeting, no matter the topic or reason. In just talking your opinion with your neighbor on letting kids ride mini motor cycles, politics arises. (and I''m not speaking of republicans and democrats).



The coming Olympics have their political tasks, as well as their thrilling events. It can not be avoided.


The Chinese, as a people, do NOT like to lose face. When they applied for and won the bid, I''m sure they were thinking it was a great honor. And, to be able to show off their new found industrial capability and new buildings would be a huge plus.


I don''t believe they realized that it could also give them a black eye in the international community. The government is use to mandating changes "for the peoples good". Well, they don''t get to do that in the international community !


That''s why the Olympics are doing their political task.

[erasmus6]

"At the same time, Rogge called on China to respect its "moral engagement" to improve human rights"

HELLO! We are talking about a country that abuses ALL living creatures, not just humans. They kill dogs, beat them to death on the street. They are cruel to animals. They shove pipes down pigs throats and pour gallons of sewer water down them to fatten them up before slaughter. Just the thought of this makes me sick to my stomach.

They poisoned OUR pets. They are poisoning our children with the lead that they use in products. The food that comes from there is filled with major bacteria.

Could someone please tell me WHY the Olympics are being held there to begin with?

I feel bad for the Chinese people but something has to be done to stop this.

[erasmus6]

"This isn''''t the time and place for the U.S. to show any resistance." Posted by coco0331

This is the time and place for the WORLD to show resistance. They need to be shown that they can''t get away with the things they are doing.

They need to be shown that we will not accept their mistreatment of people, animals and we will not accept their contaminated products.

Canada is now fining companies 1 million dollars if they bring in any contaminated products from China. Maybe this is what the U.S. should be doing.

[gunownerdan]

What''s the big deal?
Adolf Hitler and his Nazis had the olympics in 1936 and China is not as bad as they were.

[gunownerdan]

America also has more people locked up in jail than China does.

[speakinup]

erasmus6 - During my two week visit to China, not once did I see a dog get beat on the street. I saw several proud dog owners walking their dog too.

Please, don''t confuse the police state with the actual common people in China. Every day people in China are just like you and me. Friendly, helpful, and just human. The dog beating in Wenjou, was by police, and HORRIBLE.

I can''t speak to the situation on the pigs. But, would raw sewage fatten them, or kill them ?

[rational_1]

First rule in Olympic Games success:
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Sadly, they chose to run the event in the cesspool known as ''''China'''' - bad decision from day one.
Posted by DaVicar2 at 09:51 AM : Apr 11, 2008

Yup, really bad decision in going with China to host the games. But, that was the decision of the IOC so I don''t have any sympathy for what they are going through now. My four-year old could have seen this coming.

[speakinup]

"This is the time and place for the WORLD to show resistance. They need to be shown that they can''t get away with the things they are doing. - erasmus6

I can agree with this whole heartedly, if you are talking about their government''s policies. From what I saw, they have a terrible polution problem. In Xian, Shangihai and Beijing - the air was unfit to breath. It has got to be the same as smoking !

[speakinup]

"America also has more people locked up in jail than China does. Posted by gunownerdan

True, but is that because the Chinese government is more draconian, or possibly our police are more efficient, or their culture has honor in it that ours lacks. Several possibilities exist past these, but what would be the point you are making ?

[bluestardad]

GIVE CHINA RESPECT! LET THEM HOLD THE GAMES IN PEACE!

BUSH AND CHENEY AND THEIR ISRAELI NEOCONS SHOULD BE TRIED FOR WAR CRIMES FOR THE IRAQ WAR...

IF AMERICA COULD HAVE GOTTEN THE REPUBLICANS OUT OF MENS BATHROOM STALLS, OFF HOOKERS, OR LITTLE PAIGE BOYS LONG ENOUGH FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN WAR CRIMES TRIALS LONG AGO FOR IRAQ!

AMERICA STAND UP OR SHUT UP!

[myshiba]

China is BAD for the Olympics

[moonface6]

erasmus6: Killing or beating dogs are brutal, but I believe they are individual cases. When you hear a *** abuse case in a Catholic church, I don''t think you will think every Catholic church is ugly.

Brutal things happens everywhere in different forms. Even in this country it is not uncommon to hear dogs are abandoned by their owners, and dogs are killed in animal shelters.

[moonface6]

erasmus6: Killing or beating dogs are brutal, but I believe they are individual cases. When you hear a *** abuse case in a Catholic church, I don''t think you will think every Catholic church is ugly.

Brutal things happens everywhere in different forms. Even in this country it is not uncommon to hear dogs are abandoned by their owners, and dogs are killed in animal shelters.

[ajmarine1]

China is changing from a Communist country to a free enterprize country. Letting in the world and letting the Chinese people experience what it has to offer will only speed up this process.

[ajmarine1]

Could someone please tell me WHY the Olympics are being held there to begin with?


Posted by erasmus6 at 11:05 AM : Apr 11, 2008



Maybe this will help.



Today''s election took place by secret ballot, and delegates of the Olympic committee declined to reveal how they voted. Beijing appeared to receive broad international support beyond the developing nations where it has gained favor by building sports stadiums over the years. Sandra Baldwin, the president of the United States Olympic Committee, said she was ''''O.K. with Beijing.''''

''''I think the Olympics should supersede politics,'''' she added. ''''It''s the greatest peacetime event in the world.''''

It was clear, however, said Frangois Carrard, the executive director of the I.O.C., that delegates faced one overriding political issue with regard to Beijing: human rights.

''''Some people say, because of serious human rights issues, ''We close the door and say no,'' '''' Mr. Carrard said. ''''The other way is to bet on openness. Bet on the fact that in the coming seven years, openness, progress and development in many areas will be such that the situation will be improved. We are taking the bet that seven years from now we will see many changes.''''

Part 1

[ajmarine1]

Juan Antonio Samaranch, the president of the I.O.C., said the awarding of the 2008 Games could open ''''a new era for China.'''' Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, an auxiliary member of the I.O.C., said, ''''I think this is a very important step in the evolution of China''s relation with the world.

''''I think it will have a major impact in China, and on the whole, a positive impact, in the sense of giving them a high incentive for moderate conduct both internationally and domestically in the years ahead,'''' said Dr. Kissinger, who was not eligible to participate in the voting.

Delegates said they believed an Olympics in China might have an impact similar to the one in South Korea after the Games were awarded to Seoul for 1988. Those Games assisted in transforming South Korea from a military dictatorship to a democracy. Some cautioned, however, that the committee should not overestimate the effect it could have on China''s internal affairs.


http://tinyurl.com/59jj84


Part 2

[luvwknd69]

Personally, I believe the world should boycott the entire Olympics in China as due to their position on human rights, they don''t deserve to have them there; furthermore, who would want to breathe that air anyway?

[luvwknd69]

Hey bluesREtarded

Ever had your human rights violated? Didn''t think so now shut the he11 up!~

[flajoe1]

What''''s the big deal?
Adolf Hitler and his Nazis had the olympics in 1936 and China is not as bad as they were.

Posted by gunownerdan

Isn%u2019t there an internet blog rule that states %u201Cwhenever Hitler or Nazi%u2019s are mentioned to prove a point%u201D it%u2019s time to end the conversation?

[sharncedar]

The trouble really is that China today is functioning essentially as a huge cult with 1.3 billion members. Like any cult, they are cut off from all information and fed a constant line about their own greatness and superiority. There is not even a hint of reality in the mind of a typical Chinese citizen.

If you watch Chinese movies, notice they are always fundamentally about "China", never about humanity. "China" itself is a creation of the communist government, about 1/2 the land area of the modern state is inhabited by non-Chinese, really just victims of the Han people and their insane cult.

They are cut off, they are isolated, they are utterly self-absorbed and dangerous to the world. They have numclear weapons, they are getting more crazy every year.

We don''t need to feed these people''s insanity with a big Olympics where they glory in themselves in an indulgent fashion. Really, there is no Western country as xenophobic and racist as China, not close in the modern age, so we are not understanding the danger here.

[ajmarine1]

Really, there is no Western country as xenophobic and racist as China, not close in the modern age, so we are not understanding the danger here.

Posted by SharnCedar at 05:09 PM : Apr 11, 2008



No western country has been around as long as China either, they go back about 5,000 years and we in America are only a mere 232 years old.

[ajmarine1]

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[ajmarine1]

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[erasmus6]

"Please, don''''t confuse the police state with the actual common people in China." Posted by speakinup

I know it wasn''t the common people, I am not blaming them.

"I can''''t speak to the situation on the pigs. But, would raw sewage fatten them, or kill them ? "

They said it was to help fatten them, just before they slaughtered them. If it killed them, I doubt they would care.

[erasmus6]

"Killing or beating dogs are brutal, but I believe they are individual cases." Posted by MoonFace6

No, it wasn''t. I think it was because there had been a few cases of rabies and the police went around and started beating all the dogs to death. They were beating them right in front of their owners. I mean haven''t they heard of rabies shots?

[erasmus6]

AJMarine1

''''I think it will have a major impact in China, and on the whole, a positive impact..."

Let''s hope.:)