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Originally posted by The SnapperI think you are being a little naive, there would be serious consquences for anyone who actually did this, I'm sure the government could slap a 'insighting racial hatred' sticker on such things, or something similar, and throw them in jail for a while.
Obviously it would have to be done covertly, by wearing the t-shirt underneath a track top and then revealing it at the correct moment for maximum impact. Once the authorities were wise to it, then the athletes who wanted to show their support could just refuse to attend the medal ceremony. They would still have won their event and would have to get thei ...[text shortened]... urnalists at the Olympics there should be plenty of opportunity to make a statement. Hopefully!
We must understand that China does not share many of the freedoms we are accustomed to.
Originally posted by Bad wolfWhy would it be 'insighting racial hatred'?
I think you are being a little naive, there would be serious consquences for anyone who actually did this, I'm sure the government could slap a 'insighting racial hatred' sticker on such things, or something similar, and throw them in jail for a while.
We must understand that China does not share many of the freedoms we are accustomed to.
Do you really think the Chinese government would dare to imprison a medal winning athlete? With the whole world watching?
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Originally posted by The SnapperPerhaps not 'insighting racial hatred', but I can't think of a good example.
Why would it be 'insighting racial hatred'?
Do you really think the Chinese government would dare to imprison a medal winning athlete? With the whole world watching?
Anyway, not when the whole world is watching, but I cannot imagine the chinese government not having at least some control of all the cameras and such, could they not simply turn it off? And yes...I do think China would dare, they've done far worse before, The Tiananmen Square massacre rings a bell.
edit: Sure, they wouldn't kill them! But at least something i think.
[i]Originally posted by Bad wolf[/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/mar/30/olympicgames2008.chinai]You could be right but I think there's a big difference between a soveriegn nation controlling civil unrest amongst its own people and detaining or gagging a foreign athlete.
Perhaps not 'insighting racial hatred', but I can't think of a good example.
Anyway, not when the whole world is watching, but I cannot imagine the chinese government not having at least some control of all the cameras and such, could they not simply turn it off? And yes...I do think ...[text shortened]... assacre rings a bell.
edit: Sure, they wouldn't kill them! But at least something i think.
If foreign journalists were to ask a winning athlete a question on the sensitive issue of Tibetan autonomy (it could happen), would that athlete decline to comment through fear of retribution? Would the journalist be penalised? Would the cameras pull away? All are quite possible, but maybe not. If athletes could present a united front then the authorities would be forced to capitulate in my opinion.
Even if they didn't and any protests by the athletes were ignored or suppressed, surely it would still be personally important to the athletes to at least make an effort.
Another point is that the Chinese authorities are going back on their word:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/mar/30/olympicgames2008.china