Should our athletes boycott the Olympics?

Last month saw an outpour of pro-Tibetan protestors lining the Olympic Torch parade route in London, Paris and San Francisco, disputing the decision to hold the Olympics in Beijing this summer.

The London leg of the relay saw 35 protestors being arrested; in Paris the flame was repeatedly extinguished amidst security fears, whilst a torch bearer in San Francisco used the opportunity to show his support for independence in Tibet by wearing a 'Free Tibet' patch.

These acts of protest have not only arisen because of China's occupation of Tibet, but also because of the decision to hold the Olympics in a country whose human rights record is widely criticised.

According to an Amnesty International report, since China was awarded the games in 2001 their "human rights records have shown little sign of improvement" (What Human Rights Legacy for the Beijing Olympics? 1st April 2008).

Whilst there have been some positive changes, such as the death penalty being reformed, there has also been less constructive incidents: the time that a person can be detained without trial has been increased to 'clean up' the streets of Beijing in time for the Olympics, as well as human rights defenders facing further repression.

March 10th 2008 saw further conflict when Chinese authorities cracked-down on protestors in Tibet, leading to what Amnesty International called "serious human rights violations" (What Human Rights Legacy for the Beijing Olympics? 1st April 2008).

The Times reported these riots, and the consequential action taken by the Chinese authorities, have left "600 dead, 1,000 injured and 400 arrested" (Tibet: Hundreds of Protestors Give Themselves up to Authorities 27th March 2008).

With growing feelings of 'anti-Beijing' many Chinese expatriates and students have retorted with pro-China demonstrations.

The Independent reported that in London and Manchester Chinese students "staged silent protests against what they claim is distorted coverage by the BBC of Tibet," however there have been concerns that these have been organised by the government in Beijing, especially after "Canadian and Australian secret services have uncovered monitoring and organisation of local Chinese student groups by embassy staff" (China's Cheerleaders Take to the Street 21st April 2008)

With so many political, and personal, conflicts arising as the 2008 Olympics draws ever nearer I wanted to find out if students thought China should hold this prestigious sporting event and whether or not they felt our athletes should boycott it.

'I think that there is a two-way argument here - there is no doubt that China's Human Rights record leaves something to be desired, however, holding the Olympics in Beijing is symbolic of years of isolation coming to an end, so I don't think that our athletes should boycott it.'

'I absolutely think that our athletes should boycott the Olympics - by holding this event in Beijing it is giving praise and accolade to a country which lacks basic Human Rights. It was reported that someone in China was jailed for 5 years for objecting to the Olympics being held there.'

China may have opened its doors up to the world, but behind the closed doors of Tibet there is repression and political controversy.

Natalie Lambert

'I think that the sheer number of protestors at the Olympic torch relay shows a general sentiment that the Olympics should not be held there and that our athletes should boycott it. You didn't see protests about the Sydney and Athens Olympics, and you won't see it when it comes to parading the torch for the London 2012 Olympics.'

'I don't think that our athletes should boycott the Olympics - they are dedicated and passionate about their sport and the Olympics gives them the opportunity to celebrate this, no matter where it is held.'

'I think it's morally wrong to hold the Olympics in Beijing - it is supposed to be held in a democratic country and with China's Human Rights record there is no way it could be called democratic. So yes, I think our athletes should boycott it.'

From these responses it is clear to see that this is a subject which divides opinion - no one doubts that China has a poor Human Rights record, however for some people holding the Olympics there shouldn't be about politics, but should be a celebration of sporting achievements.

However, it seems difficult to separate this event from politics when the build up has been overtly political.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to boycott the opening ceremony, whilst Gordon Brown PM has planned not to attend it, something he says was always going to be the case, however the absence of the head of one of the greatest global powers is significant and will be strongly felt.

Whilst the Beijing Olympics is symbolic to some of Chinese liberation I have to ask to what extent this is actually true.

China may have opened its doors up to the world, but behind the closed doors of Tibet there is repression and political controversy.