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Athletes must refrain from any kind of political protests or messages at Olympic venues during the Beijing Games, the IOC athletes’ commission said today.
The group dismissed talk of campaigns – from wearing badges and wrist bands, to boycotting the opening ceremony – suggested by athletes to express their opposition to Chinese government policies on human rights, Tibet and Darfur.
“We respect their independence and the right to express yourself, but we are not going to sacrifice the Olympic venues for that right,” US member Bob Ctvrtlik said. “Let us not destroy the clean venues.”
The International Olympic Committee panel, including several gold medallists, said athletes must abide by the Olympic Charter article banning demonstrations.
“We see that someone wants to use athletes and try to put them to political issues. Our strength is staying separate and out of political issues,” commission chairman Sergei Bubka said. “There are a lot of different conflicts around the world. If you let them get in (the Olympic venues) you can destroy the movement.”
Bubka, a former pole vault gold medallist, said he had not received a single letter from any athlete demanding the right to protest.
David Douillet, a two-time judo gold medallist from France, had proposed that athletes wear a badge with the words “For A Better World.”
Bubka said he told Douillet recently that the commission would be meeting this week and asked him to send in his proposal for review.
“Until now we did not receive any letter, any request, any concern,” Bubka said. “The badge is clearly a political issue. You cannot do that. We as athletes compete with rules and respect the rules.”
Of the 20 commission members, 13 were present in Lausanne – including Moroccan middle distance great Hicham El Guerrouj and Russian swimmer Alexander Popov – and two others joined by teleconference.
They unanimously supported Article 51.3 of the charter forbidding “any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” at “Olympics, sites, venues or other areas.”
Ctvrtlik, a volleyball gold medallist at the 1988 Seoul Games, said he had been contacted by many athletes in the United States.
“Many groups are pressuring athletes, are using athletes and are manipulating athletes for the group’s purpose, not for the athletes.
“We think an athlete, well informed, can make their own decision whether to be vocal.”
He said athletes would have ample opportunities to express opinions at the press centre and after they have competed, but “not on the medal stand, not on the field of play.”