US Watchdog Issues Warning On Athletes' Safety At Upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics
A US rights monitor raised the alarm Monday over athletes' safety at China's upcoming Winter Olympics, after the host authorities threatened "punishment" for anti-Beijing comments. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China -- a group of Washington lawmakers and White House officials -- asked US Olympics authorities for an "urgent effort" to protect their sports stars' free speech rights at the February 4-20 tournament. The commission spoke out after Yang Shu, a senior official in the Beijing organizing committee, told an online briefing on January 18 that "any behavior or speech that is against the Olympic spirit, especially against the Chinese laws and regulations, are also subject to certain punishment."
