NEWS UPDATE: The Beijing Olympic organizing committee issued a stern, nine-page document - covering 57 topics - on June 2nd. Written only in Chinese and posted on the organizers' official Web site, the guide covers everything from a ban on sleeping outdoors to the need for government permission to stage a protest.
The guidelines, not immediately available in English, seem to clash with a pledge made two month ago by International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who said athletes could exercise freedom of speech in China. He asked only that athletes refrain from making political statements at certain official Olympics venues.
The highly detailed document is entitled: "A guide to Chinese law for Foreigners coming to, leaving or staying in China during the Olympics.'' This appears under the slogan of the Beijing Olympics: "One World, One Dream.''
The document also warns foreigners that not all areas of the country are open to visitors. One such area is Tibet, which is also off limits to journalists.
Rule 51 states that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
The IOC said that Olympic athletes are free to express their opinions, so long as those expressions are in compliance with the Olympic Charter.
The IOC recently wrote a letter addressing Rule 51 in which they give athletes permission to answer questions on any topic in media interviews and the IOC said that Rule 51 relied on the "common sense of all athletes and other participants in showing respect for the dignity of all fellow athletes, including those of the host country."
This position differs with the actual history of the games, which have been marked by political gestures, boycotts and violence during the past four decades.
One of the iconic Olympic pictures of the 20th century was that of American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medals stand in 1968 after the men's 200 meters, raising their black-gloved fists and bowing their heads in a racial protest aimed at American society during the playing of U.S. national anthem.
The guidelines, not immediately available in English, seem to clash with a pledge made two month ago by International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who said athletes could exercise freedom of speech in China. He asked only that athletes refrain from making political statements at certain official Olympics venues.
The highly detailed document is entitled: "A guide to Chinese law for Foreigners coming to, leaving or staying in China during the Olympics.'' This appears under the slogan of the Beijing Olympics: "One World, One Dream.''
The document also warns foreigners that not all areas of the country are open to visitors. One such area is Tibet, which is also off limits to journalists.
THE IOC’s Official Rule Governing an Athlete’s Freedom of Expression
The IOC has many rules for athlete conduct detailed in the Olympic Charter (download PDF). “Rule 51” is the clause that addresses an athlete’s ability to express political views during the Olympic Games. Rule 51 is vague, and open to interpretation, so we recommend that you speak to your National Olympic Committee if you have any questions about the meaning of the language used in Rule 51. Here is a brief synopsis and analysis of the key phrases.Rule 51 states that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
The IOC said that Olympic athletes are free to express their opinions, so long as those expressions are in compliance with the Olympic Charter.
The IOC recently wrote a letter addressing Rule 51 in which they give athletes permission to answer questions on any topic in media interviews and the IOC said that Rule 51 relied on the "common sense of all athletes and other participants in showing respect for the dignity of all fellow athletes, including those of the host country."
This position differs with the actual history of the games, which have been marked by political gestures, boycotts and violence during the past four decades.
One of the iconic Olympic pictures of the 20th century was that of American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medals stand in 1968 after the men's 200 meters, raising their black-gloved fists and bowing their heads in a racial protest aimed at American society during the playing of U.S. national anthem.