You violate the basic human rights of your citizens for about 60 years and all of a sudden, you’re a bad guy, right China? Thanks to their mishandling of their own citizenry, inspiring all sorts of crazed people going after the Olympic torch to try and make a statement, China has ruined the Olympic Torch run for everyone else. The International Olympic Committee has decided to no longer do worldwide torch relays as they have done since the Athens Games in 2004.
“We have always said the primary focus would be on a domestic torch relay whose main purpose is to excite and inspire the UK in the build-up to the games,” said a London 2012 spokeswoman.
“We planned to take our lead from the IOC and are very happy with this decision as it mirrors what we were intending to do.”
IOC executive director Gilbert Felli said:
After the (2004) relay in Athens, which was the first international relay, we came to the conclusion it was easier for the torch to stay inside the (host) country. There were difficulties with the NOCs (National Olympic Committees), and we also saw the risk with a torch relay going around the world. Beijing had planned an international torch relay and we accepted it. We saw in the debrief that the risk was there and the IOC decided not to do it (again). I think when the torch relay is inside the host country there is more control.
You imprison people for no reason and deprive them of basic human rights and everyone else has to suffer. Way to go China.
[BBC]
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