The British Olympic Association said that they will ban British athletes from competing in this summer’s games if they criticize China’s government.
The Telegraph reports that athletes will not be able to speak about possible human rights violations or Tibet.
Since the 1988 Olympics in Soeul [sic], British competitors have been asked to sign contracts that include a pledge “not to comment on any politically sensitive issues”.
However, this year’s contracts will, for the first time, explicitly refer competitors to Section 51 of the International Olympic Committee charter, which “provides for no kind of demonstration, or political, religious or racial propaganda in the Olympic sites, venues or other areas”.
BOA spokesman Graham Newsom said that athletes would be able to openly answer any question posed to them though, in response to critics.
