AN OLYMPIAN BLOGS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE BEIJING GAMES
Tuesday, 1 July, 2008
China is a beautiful, vibrant country, and I
count myself lucky to have had the good fortune of visiting
there. In my brief ten days I had wonderful experiences in
Shanghai, and realized very quickly that the Chinese people
have much to be proud of.
However, there is a darker truth below the beauty and wonders of the superficial: the truth of the suppression of China’s people. It is because of this truth that for several months I have been using my voice to speak out about human rights violations in China. I have done this in hope of assisting towards improvements in China’s human rights record; and in hope that, in future, the Chinese people can be as proud of their human rights record as they are of their culture, history and strength.
China is not unique in its human rights abuses. The truth is that such abuses exist in every country, including here in Australia. However, a major difference between Australia and China is that we can express our opinions and dissatisfaction with the government through peaceful protests; the Chinese people living in China do not have that freedom.
The focus of the global media spotlight on China’s human rights record has lead to an international outcry. But the big question is; what about after the Olympics? When the flame has been extinguished, and the athletes have returned home, will the media continue to scrutinize China’s human rights abuses? Or will the international focus shift away? Only time will tell.
The Olympics are meant to be about sport, inspiration, unification, and the dreams of athletes. The lead up to the Beijing Olympics has been about human rights, politics, Tibet, Darfur - and finally at the end of a long list: sport. I feel strongly that it’s important that we all bear in mind that many of our athletes from around the world have committed years of their lives for this Olympic moment. Because of that, and the wonderful unifying power of the Olympics, I feel we should support them in their excitement and experiences at the Games. Otherwise we risk losing a beautiful cultural legacy we have come to love and feel inspired by.
It is not up to the athletes to peacefully protest (though if they so chose, their voices would be welcomed). That job lies with those of us who have not committed 100% emotionally, mentally and physically for 4, 8, 10+ years to competing at these Olympics. Let’s allow the athletes the same freedoms we are asking for in China, the freedom to choose.
These Olympics can still be a powerful change for good in China and beyond if we can continue to internationally engage in dialogue and debate. Change takes time though, and in our exuberant drive for change we must remember the time frames Nova Peris expressed on SBS Insight on July 1: in the 1956 Olympics the Aboriginal people were not citizens, by 2000 many Aboriginal athletes excelled at the Sydney Olympics, yet it took until 2008 for the government to apologize for past atrocities.
Patience will be necessary for China to transition. Patience, and a continued long-term interest from the international community to support a transition towards greater human rights for all.
However, there is a darker truth below the beauty and wonders of the superficial: the truth of the suppression of China’s people. It is because of this truth that for several months I have been using my voice to speak out about human rights violations in China. I have done this in hope of assisting towards improvements in China’s human rights record; and in hope that, in future, the Chinese people can be as proud of their human rights record as they are of their culture, history and strength.
China is not unique in its human rights abuses. The truth is that such abuses exist in every country, including here in Australia. However, a major difference between Australia and China is that we can express our opinions and dissatisfaction with the government through peaceful protests; the Chinese people living in China do not have that freedom.
The focus of the global media spotlight on China’s human rights record has lead to an international outcry. But the big question is; what about after the Olympics? When the flame has been extinguished, and the athletes have returned home, will the media continue to scrutinize China’s human rights abuses? Or will the international focus shift away? Only time will tell.
The Olympics are meant to be about sport, inspiration, unification, and the dreams of athletes. The lead up to the Beijing Olympics has been about human rights, politics, Tibet, Darfur - and finally at the end of a long list: sport. I feel strongly that it’s important that we all bear in mind that many of our athletes from around the world have committed years of their lives for this Olympic moment. Because of that, and the wonderful unifying power of the Olympics, I feel we should support them in their excitement and experiences at the Games. Otherwise we risk losing a beautiful cultural legacy we have come to love and feel inspired by.
It is not up to the athletes to peacefully protest (though if they so chose, their voices would be welcomed). That job lies with those of us who have not committed 100% emotionally, mentally and physically for 4, 8, 10+ years to competing at these Olympics. Let’s allow the athletes the same freedoms we are asking for in China, the freedom to choose.
These Olympics can still be a powerful change for good in China and beyond if we can continue to internationally engage in dialogue and debate. Change takes time though, and in our exuberant drive for change we must remember the time frames Nova Peris expressed on SBS Insight on July 1: in the 1956 Olympics the Aboriginal people were not citizens, by 2000 many Aboriginal athletes excelled at the Sydney Olympics, yet it took until 2008 for the government to apologize for past atrocities.
Patience will be necessary for China to transition. Patience, and a continued long-term interest from the international community to support a transition towards greater human rights for all.