Top athletes are considering boycotting the Beijing Olympics because of China’s violent crackdown on protesters in Tibet, according to IOC vice-president Thomas Bach.
Bach told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag he could understand athlete’s concerns, but encourages all athletes to take part in the Games nonetheless.
“They will realise when they assess the situation that it is better to make an appearance than to stay away. That is a symbol that will be noticed by the public,” Bach said.
Bach followed the sentiments of others within the International Olympic Committee, arguing the intense focus on China during the Games will help improve the standard of human rights in that country.
“We are of the opinion that the Games will help China open up. But we cannot solve the problems that UN secretaries general have not been able to solve for generations,” he said.
“The Olympic Games can foster change and be a catalyst for a solution but they are not a panacea.”
German athletes have told the newspaper they are considering boycotting the Games.
"I had been asking myself the whole time why they gave the Olympic Games to China," said Javelin thrower Christian Obergfoell
"After Tibet, my feeling will not be any better."
While Chinese official reports have acknowledged 10 fatalities from the conflict in Tibet, the Tibetan government-in-exile says it has confirmed 80 deaths at this stage.
