China As Host Country
National Public Radio has a special series focusing on China’s role and preparations as Olympics host. Today’s report looks at differing opinions on whether or not China is an appropriate host of the Games:
The Beijing Olympics are as politicized as the games get. They have attracted Tibetan demonstrators outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington and Darfur activists outside the New York studios of Olympics broadcaster NBC.
There also were protesters greeting the Olympic torch during its relay, and there has been pressure on political leaders to avoid the games.
Even back in July 2001, when Beijing was named Olympic host, human rights activists said China didn’t deserve the games. But officials at the International Olympic Committee said hosting the Olympics would transform China.
