Leave your flags at home

The International Olympic Committee has announced that athletes competing in the 2008 games will be barred from the competition if they display the Tibetan flag at any Olympic venues, including their own rooms. Jacques Rogge, president of the Committee, says that such displays violate the Olympic's anti-propaganda rules. This comes in the wake of human rights protests against China's recent treatment of Tibetans that took place during the Olympic torch relay, particularly in cities such as San Francisco and London.

As of yet, the Committee has not given a clear definition of what constitutes propaganda, leaving many athletes confused as to what kind of conduct would get them sent home or stripped of their medals.

This decisions has come under much scrutiny, with many seeing it as a violation of free speech and expression. Though the Committee claims that there has been no discussion with the Chinese Olympic hosts regarding the use of the Tibetan flag during the games, or its classification as propaganda, many are skeptical that this is true.

In response to the claims that this a violation of free expression, Rogge had this to say:

“Freedom of expression is absolutely a human right but there are small limitations. We are a movement of 205 nations, many of whom are in conflict, and the Games are not the place to take political or religious stances,” (Times online)

Though this may pacify some, many are still outraged by the IOC's attempt to ban the display of Tibetan flags. Rogge will have to do more try to placate the public with such statements. The 2008 games have already had a rocky start and actions such as this ban certainly don't help the IOC's image to the rest of the world.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article3724308.ece