“The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.”

–Fundamental Principles of Olympism

The Olympic Games are at the pinnacle of sporting achievement and combine in balance the strengths of body, mind and will. The Games motto of Faster, Higher, Stronger resonates deeply within athletes growing up dreaming of taking part, and also when they have the amazing opportunity to live that dream. The Olympic ideals of harmony, peace, and equality are representative of sport, but also of community, religion, culture, and politics.

The Olympics are praised for rising above politics, but they are by no means apolitical. Instead they raise the bar for politics, as well as community, religion, and culture to attain these same ideals. Therefore the Olympics represent a microcosm of what the world at large can work towards – harmony, peace and equality for all. The question is, how do community members, athletes, or caring individuals balance the beauty of the Olympics with the human rights abuses occurring in the 2008 host country: China? Many recognise the inspiring qualities and unifying ability of the Games in general, and therefore believe athletes should focus on competing at the Games and producing their highest level of possible achievement. Others feel the Olympic ideals and the host country’s policies cannot be separated, with the result that the Games provide an important opportunity for athletes to speak out against the injustices committed by the Chinese Communist Party, and be loudly heard.

As an athlete myself I truly understand the sacrifice, hardships, and challenges required to reach the Olympic level. I also intimately understand that competing at the Olympic Games may be once in a lifetime opportunity for many athletes. Therefore I feel strongly that it is up to each individual athlete to choose their journey at the Olympic Games. An athlete’s choice to focus entirely on the competition should not be judged in a negative light. After all, one of the beauties of democracy is freedom of choice.

As a human rights activist I also know the other side of that coin. I personally, as well as many other athletes, struggle to separate these Olympics from the human rights atrocities occurring in China. Therefore I am supportive of John Amaechi, who has taken on the role of Amnesty International Sporting Ambassador for the Beijing Olympics. Amaechi has stated that “people who have issues with the policies and behaviour of the Chinese authorities should speak out” and challenge China to live up to the ideals of the sporting event they are hosting.

I commend Amaechi on his outspoken stance, and hope that any Olympians who feel inspired to lend their voices to the human rights struggles in China have the courage to do so. But I also recognize that Amaechi is not as intimately involved in these Olympics as athletes competing in China are. Therefore, I am entirely supportive of all athletes who have sacrificed and committed themselves to the Olympic dream for years choosing to maintain their focus on the sporting experience at the Games.

Athletes should not become pawns in the political arena, nor should they be pressured to relinquish their childhood dreams. After all, isn’t the goal human rights and freedom of choice? That goal naturally should apply to the Beijing bound athletes also.

Michelle Engelsman,

Athens Olympian 2004, Amnesty International Australia Intern, Team Darfur Member, Activist for Human Rights