U.S. Urges IOC To Allow Taiwan’s Participation Nationally In Beijing 2008 Games
18/06/2007 |
 |
 |
CNA reports that several members of the U.S. House of Representatives put forward legislation Friday urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow Taiwan to use its national name, flag and anthem at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
Representative Tom Tancredo, a lead sponsor of the legislation, said it’s discriminatory and therefore against the Olympic Charter for the IOC to require that Taiwan use the name “Chinese Taipei” instead of its official title “Republic of China” for it to take part in the Games and to prevent the country from playing its national anthem and displaying its national flag.
According to CNA, under the Olympic Charter any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on the grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement. The Olympic Charter also directs the IOC to “oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes”, said Tancredo, adding “it’s disappointing that the IOC seems to be more interested in acting as a foreign policy handmaiden for Beijing than it does in promoting sportsmanship and fair play”.
As an example, Tancredo said that despite the territory’s status as a U.S. commonwealth, Puerto Rico is not required to use the name “American San Juan” to compete in the Olympic Games.
(Source: Gamesbids.com)
|
| Back |
|
|
|
|
 |
