International Sports and the Olympic movement has always been more than
just about athletic excellence.
There is long tradition of utilizing sport to teach or stand up for
principles of equality, human rights and ethical behaviour.
One can recall the Commonwealth Games' sanctions against South Africa's
Apartheid as one outstanding example. Indeed, they were the first to take
action against that country's violation of human rights.
While it is absolutely essential that athletes abide by rules set by
the IOC, with regard to own standards for ethical behaviour and
performance where it pertains to their participation in the games, I
believe it is wrong to require athletes to be silent with regard to
human rights violations.
It would be akin to asking them to abandon their moral and ethical
values. It would violate the ethical base upon which sport is built; and
abandon the traditions of the international Sport movement itself.
