The Olympic Flame in Canberra

A quick follow up on the Olympic torch. Canberra was different. As the news media has reported far and wide all went reasonably well here. The rent-a-crowd of supporters bussed in by China were so great in number they swamped the human rights activists. There were reports that some activists felt intimidated by the sheer force of the Chinese waving their red flags.

China missed a great opportunity in not supplying their rent-a-crowd with the Olympic flag and taking the games out of the political agenda. How much more we would have admired them and how much more focus they would have directed to the games and not their human rights record.

I believe now, after viewing this demonstration of force, the games is simply a vehicle for China to show their Might and Power.

In Canberra they missed a great public relations opportunity !

The Olympic Flame - Australia

The progress of the Olympic flame dominates our news. We hear on the radio the problems in London, Paris and San Francisco. We discuss how the security will be handled here. One mother is recorded as saying she is afraid to bring her daughter in to see the flame because the demonstrations could get out of hand. This is a tragedy because the torch represents all that is good in the world.

What is odd to me is China’s belief that they own the torch and have sent in their thugs (to Quote Lord Sebastian Coe) to protect it.

I believe that China’s human rights have nothing to do with the Olympics.

I see the games as a little lull or if you like, the eye of the world’s storm. A time when every nation gets together in unity to indulge in a non-political event.

I have felt moved and awed during previous opening ceremonies by the number of countries who send athletes to compete. Many of these athletes have no chance of a medal against the powerful and sport focused countries yet they are there, proudly carrying their nation’s flag and waving.

The problems that often surround countries national sport, (think of AFL, Rugby, Soccer, Ice Hockey) are not seen at the Olympics. What is seen at this four-yearly-event is a joy of being there, a joy of participating and euphoria of the occasional.

I believe that where the games are held is should be incidental. Perhaps China was a bad choice. The choice was made some years ago and we should respect that and focus on the individual efforts and sportsmanship of the participants. China’s human rights should be left for another forum.

The irony is that with China holding the games all eyes are on that country. We are given a chance to see all its failings and its abysmal human rights record. It is all out in front jostling to be noticed.


It is reported that people in Canberra will turn their back on the torch as it goes past. Is that not turning your back on the Olympic movement and all it stands for?

I’m shocked that Britain should allow Chinese security men to circle the flame and push and jostle people.

And I was delighted when I learned Prime Minster Rudd had said that we would look after our own security. Now he has changed his mind and said two-blue-tracked-suited Chinese paramilitary would accompany the torch so that they could re-light it if it went out. The rest would follow in a bus incase they were needed.

I am wondering if when the games were held in Sydney whether we sent a bus load of security people to accompany the torch on its world journey. Does anyone reading this know that?

The torch arrives in Canberra today with the relay on Thursday. Now all eyes will be on us as and the torch as it makes its way through our streets. The world will see how we handle the demonstrations and we, who live in Australia, will see how the much authority the Chinese ‘thugs’ are given here. Will they stay in their bus?


.