Row over UK Olympians' contract

[[R_H]]

BBC

The British Olympic Association has defended its contract for athletes travelling to China for the 2008 Games.

For the first time, the contract which the athletes must sign refers to an Olympic rule prohibiting political demonstrations or propaganda.

The BOA has faced accusations that it is trying to suppress comment about sensitive political issues.

It insists it is not trying to gag athletes or stop them answering direct questions on political subjects.

For the last 20 years team members have been obliged to sign a contract as a condition of taking part in the games.

Reminder

However, according to the BBC's sports correspondent Gordon Farquhar, for the first time a clause specifically referring to political demonstrations has been included.

The BOA's athlete contract is a lengthy document, covering all aspects of participation - but the contract for Beijing includes a reminder to respect Section 51 of the IOC's charter.

This says that athletes must not indulge in any kind of political demonstration or racial or religious propaganda at the Olympic sites and venues.

The BOA says the athletes' representative body, the British Athletes Commission, has not objected to this particular inclusion, and that its intention is not to gag Team GB members or stop them from answering direct questions about political or human rights issues in China.

The BAC does say, however, that athletes need to understand it is the sporting competition that is paramount, and that they will be in Beijing to try and win medals.

[Shroom Man 777]

They didn't have that stuff back when they had the Olympics in the Soviet Union?

[[R_H]]

They didn't have that stuff back when they had the Olympics in the Soviet Union?

From the article

For the last 20 years team members have been obliged to sign a contract as a condition of taking part in the games.

What's changed is that

However, according to the BBC's sports correspondent Gordon Farquhar, for the first time a clause specifically referring to political demonstrations has been included.

Personally, I don't really see what the fuss is all about.

[CmdrWilkens]

They didn't have that stuff back when they had the Olympics in the Soviet Union?

It all depends on how old "Section 51" of the charter is. If its a recent addition then no but the rule is international and this seems to be solely about reminding athletes that the rule exists.

[Keevan_Colton]

Interestingly enough, if it means that athletes cant say "China Sucks" to the media after winning a medal or something, then surely it also means they cant thank God etc for helping them since that's promotion of religion...that'll be interesting to keep tabs on