French Olympic Chief Changes Decision on Olympic Badges
Remember when French Olympic chief, Henri Serandour got criticized for turning down the French athlete's desire to wear badges during the Olympics, badges protesting the atrocious human rights record of China? Badges that express their desire “For a Batter World?”
Well, it seems like the clamor of the French athletes got through to him, because he backpedaled on his decision and made a revision. While he maintains that he is still against athletes wearing the badge which bears France's name, he will condone an international badge that can be worn by athletes from around the world.
At first the French athletes proposed to design the badge with the symbol of the Olympic rings, the word “France” and the slogan “For a better World” which was directly gotten from the Olympic charter. This badge will express their protest to the human rights violations committed by China, as the athlete's perseverance to keep the Olympic spirit alive.
Serandour had turned down the decision to wear the badge, as it goes against the Olympic charter which forbids any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda. After his ruling, criticisms spewed forth and the next day after, Serandour quickly changed his stand, and stated that if they were to wear a badge, the rest of the world should also partake in it, if they follow the same cause.
This announcement led French athletes to hope that an international badge will be allowed in the Beijing Games-- and an approved one at that. They say that it doesn't matter if they do not specify France, they want the all nationalities to wear this badges and state their stands. They hope that the badge will be approved, and will protect them from the risk of being ejected from the games for violation of the Olympic charter.
Other Europeans are doing their own things to protest China's human rights record. Germany for example, have began their drive to wear wristbands that say “Sports for Human Rights” and are only waiting for clarification before proceeding full throttle. Other Germans even considered shaving their heads in the style of Tibetan monks, while some wanted to boycott the opening ceremony.
The effort for displaying support for Tibet has began the legal process. Team Darfur has already sent a letter to IOC president Jacques Rogge to verify what can and can't be done in Beijing.
