Steven Spielberg has decided to take a stand on principle and not participate as an artistic advisor to the 2008 summer Olympic Games in Beijing. He says the reason is China not taking a more decisive role in resolving the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. China is the biggest customer of Sudanese Oil. Spielberg's decision is described as a public relations blow for the Chinese government.
For the past two years many human rights activist groups like Human Rights Watch has criticized the Chinese government over Darfur causing Chinese officials to complain that the Games were being politicized.
More details on this story and quotes from Spielberg below. Also, I've included the story regarding Olympic athletes being required to sign an oath that bans them from saying anything that might be taken as negative political speech against China while in the country next summer.
Spielberg pulls out of Olympics
Move marks public relations blow to China
"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," Spielberg said. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies but doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."
Spielberg was to join a team led by Chinese director Zhang Yimou, but outside of a visit to Beijing a year ago, he had done little work on the event. He even noted in his statement that he has yet to sign a contract that the Beijing Organizing Committee sent to him a year ago.
"Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing suffering there," Spielberg said in his statement. "China's economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for change."
From the BBC - Mia Farrow quote, 'Tremendous potential':
Earlier on Tuesday, as part of a "Global Day of Action" focusing on Darfur, an open letter signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates and former Olympians was sent to China's president.
"We are all aware of the tremendous potential for China to help bring an end to the conflict in Darfur," said the letter, delivered to the Chinese mission to the United Nations by actress Mia Farrow and former Olympic swimmers Shannon Shakespeare and Nikki Dryden.
Farrow, who had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement, said his decision sent out the right signal to the Chinese Government.
She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week.
"Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games."
Human Rights Watch Press Release
China: Spielberg’s Olympic Pull-Out Highlights Foreigners’ Responsibilities
Corporate Sponsors and Governments Should Urge Rights Reforms
"Olympic corporate sponsors are putting their reputations at risk unless they work to convince the Chinese government to uphold the human rights pledges it made to bring the Games to Beijing," said Minky Worden, media director at Human Rights Watch. "Human rights are under attack in China, and Olympic sponsors should use their considerable leverage to persuade Beijing to change policy."
Save Darfur has an on-line petition that will be sent to the Chinese President calling on them to use their influence to end the genocide here.
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The story regarding Spielberg comes on the heels of the controversy with the British Olympics Association and their requirement that all their athletes will have to sign a contract that forbids them from criticizing China's human rights record while competing in Beijing. The penalty for a violation is a trip home on the first available flight.
CNN - British Olympic team told silence is golden
British athletes selected for this year's Olympic Games in Beijing will be asked to sign a contract that forbids them from criticizing China's human rights record.
Graham Nathan, spokesman for the British Olympics Association (BOA), told CNN that "British athletes will have to sign a contract promising not to comment on any politically sensitive issues."
He added that they won't go further than what is required by the International Olympic Committee charter which restricts demonstrations of political propaganda at an Olympic Games.
Athletes who refuse to sign the agreement will not be allowed to travel to compete in the Games from August 8-24, according to a sunday newspaper report.
British Olympic team members have long been required to sign a contract, but for the first time the commitment will include an undertaking not to comment on any politically sensitive issues.
From BBC Sport - UK Olympic contract row, Video
Daily Mail - Britain kow tows to China as athletes are forced to sign no criticism contracts
Prince Charles has already let it be known that he will not be going to China, even if he is invited by Games organisers.
His views on the Communist dictatorship are well known, after this newspaper revealed how he described China's leaders as "appalling old waxworks" in a journal written after he attended the handover of Hong Kong. The Prince is also a long-time supporter of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader.
New Zealand and Belgium have joined Britain in banning their athletes from giving political opinions while competing.
The United States, Canada, Germany, Finland and Australia Olympic Committees (and some others) have already stated that they will not restrict their athletes from any kind of political speech during the games.
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If I were competing, let's say track & field, there would be no hesitation for me to make a lap or two around the track with a HUGE Free Tibet flag.
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Back in 1989 during the Tiananman Square massacre over 2000 Chinese citizens (mostly students) were killed standing up for political freedom. One man made a stand against four Chinese Army tanks.
The Unknown Rebel - This famous photo, taken on 5 June 1989 by photographer Jeff Widener, depicts a lone protester who tried to stop the PLA's advancing tanks until he was pulled into the crowd by several onlookers.