Olympic athletes' group opposes protests

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- Athletes must refrain from any kind of political protests or messages at Olympic venues during the Beijing Games, an IOC panel representing athletes said Thursday.

The athletes' commission dismissed talk of campaigns -- from wearing badges and wristbands, to boycotting the opening ceremony -- suggested by athletes to express their opposition to Chinese government policies on human rights, Tibet and Darfur.

"We respect their independence and the right to express yourself, but we are not going to sacrifice the Olympic venues for that right," U.S. member Bob Ctvrtlik said. "Let us not destroy the clean venues."

The International Olympic Committee panel, including several gold medalists, said athletes must abide by the Olympic Charter article banning demonstrations. The group is elected by Olympic athletes.

"We see that someone wants to use athletes and try to put them to political issues. Our strength is staying separate and out of political issues," chairman Sergei Bubka said. "There are a lot of different conflicts around the world. If you let them get in (the Olympic venues) you can destroy the movement."

Bubka, a pole vault gold medalist, said he had not received a single letter from any athlete demanding the right to protest.

David Douillet, a two-time judo gold medalist from France, had proposed that athletes wear a badge with the words "For A Better World."

Bubka said he told Douillet recently that the commission would be meeting this week and asked him to send in his proposal for review.

"Until now we did not receive any letter, any request, any concern," Bubka said. "The badge is clearly a political issue. You cannot do that. We as athletes compete with rules and respect the rules."

Some athletes have indicated they want to speak out in support of human rights and freedom of speech in China. The lead-up to the August 8-24 games has been overshadowed by political issues, including China's action in Tibet in response to protests there last month, and disruptions of the Olympic torch relay.

The Team Darfur coalition represents hundreds of athletes opposed to China's support for Sudan, where government-backed militias are waging a conflict in its western province that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.

Of the 20 commission members, 13 were present in Lausanne -- including Moroccan middle distance star Hicham El Guerrouj and Russian swimmer Alexander Popov -- and two others joined by teleconference.

They unanimously supported Article 51.3 of the charter forbidding "any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" at "Olympics, sites, venues or other areas."

Ctvrtlik said he had been contacted by many athletes in the United States.

"Many groups are pressuring athletes, are using athletes and are manipulating athletes for the group's purpose, not for the athletes," he told The Associated Press. "We think an athlete, well informed, can make their own decision whether to be vocal."

Ctvrtlik, a volleyball gold medalist at the 1988 Seoul Games, said athletes would have ample opportunities to express opinions at the press center and after they have competed, but "not on the medal stand, not on the field of play."

"We can't allow changes to uniforms and political demonstrations," he said.

Ctvrtlik said he hoped the panel's public stance would end the call for athletes to make political gestures in Beijing.

"We are trying to put explicit recommendations and clarifications around what has been the regulations for the last 60 years," he said. "We still have to remember that we are the guests in China. We are there to play sports."

In a written statement, the panel said athletes have a right to express themselves but will mainly be focused on competing.

"They have trained years for their moment and deserve to experience it without being burdened with geopolitical issues, no matter how important those issues might be," it said.

The athletes defended the choice of Beijing as the host city and said sports have helped open China to the world over the past seven years.

"There can be no better way to encourage China's change and celebrate the positive steps already taken than to engage through sport," the statement said.

The athletes expressed regret that some politicians are talking about boycotting the opening ceremony.

"The Olympic ceremonies, like the games, are for the athletes," the group said. "Having heads of state, government and sports ministers alongside the general public in the stadium is a sign of support for their athletes."

The athletes said they were "truly saddened' by the protests during the torch relay.

"We do not want to see (the torch) mistreated nor exploited," the statement said. E-mail to a friend

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