Saying “freedom of expression is a human right,” International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge today clarified the IOC’s position on political statements by athletes at the Beijing Games this summer.
He also said the turmoil surrounding the Olympic torch relay was a crisis for the IOC.
A day after the relay in San Francisco ignited a clash of supporters and opponents of the Chinese regime, Rogge explained his interpretation of a clause in the Olympic Charter which discourages political displays during the Games.
Rule 51.3 stipulates that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or areas.”
Before or during the Beijing Games, athletes are apt to be pressured by activist organizations and journalists to express their opinions on domestic political repression in China, as well as China’s behavior in Tibet and support for Sudanese atrocities in Darfur.
“A person’s ability to express his or her opinion is a basic human right and as such does not need to have a specific clause in the Olympic Charter because its place is implicit,” Rogge declared in a meeting of national Olympic Committees in Beijing.
“But we do ask that there is no propaganda nor demonstrations at Olympic Games venues for the very good and simple reason that we have 205 countries and territories represented, many of whom are in conflict, and the Games are not the place to take political nor religious stances.”
Rogge said application of rule 51.3 would be guided by “common sense,” and called on national Olympic committees to protect their athletes from outside pressure to speak out.
“If athletes genuinely want to express their opinion, that’s fine,” Rogge said. “But let’s not forget, there is also the right not to express an opinion. Athletes should feel no moral obligation to speak out. They deserve the right to focus on their preparations and should not be made to feel obliged to express themselves if they do not wish to.”
Rogge said the continued human rights protests surrounding the torch relay was one of the most contentious issues in Olympic history, and had presented the IOC with one of its toughest tests.
“It is a crisis, there is no doubt about that,” Rogge said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
