China’s poor human rights record has plagued the Games since they were awarded to Beijing in 2001 and the debate is only intensifying as the Olympics draw closer.
Just last week, Oscar award-winning director Steven Spielberg withdrew his services to help with the opening and closing ceremonies and he won’t be the only no-show.
Prince Charles recently announced he will not attend and actress Mia Farrow has voiced her opinion on the Beijing Olympics, calling them the ‘Genocide Games.’
The athletes themselves are not immune to this debate and some have struggled with whether they should participate and if they were to go, should they speak out? Canada’s top-ranked badminton player Anna Rice, a human rights activist, told CBC’s Countdown to Beijing that she hopes the mainstream media attention on China will help instigate change for the positive.
What’s your take? Should Olympic athletes going to Beijing speak out about politically sensitive issues in China?
More...
Just last week, Oscar award-winning director Steven Spielberg withdrew his services to help with the opening and closing ceremonies and he won’t be the only no-show.
Prince Charles recently announced he will not attend and actress Mia Farrow has voiced her opinion on the Beijing Olympics, calling them the ‘Genocide Games.’
The athletes themselves are not immune to this debate and some have struggled with whether they should participate and if they were to go, should they speak out? Canada’s top-ranked badminton player Anna Rice, a human rights activist, told CBC’s Countdown to Beijing that she hopes the mainstream media attention on China will help instigate change for the positive.
What’s your take? Should Olympic athletes going to Beijing speak out about politically sensitive issues in China?
More...