Bring Tibet to the 2008 Beijing Olympics
June 29, 2007
For Immediate Release
Tibetan People's Movement
In August 2008, global attention will focus on China as Beijing will be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. Unlike the previous Olympics, however, the 2008 Games will be a crucial turning point for the Olympic movement as well as for the many nations occupied by China. Most importantly, the Games will be a major defining moment for the modern world. During the Olympics, the Chinese government will conceal its oppressive rule in Tibet and its human rights violations against its own people and the people it colonizes in an attempt to gain international credibility as a leading global power.
The fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and the Games are the manifestation of freedom, justice, opportunity, equality and love for every human being on this earth. But these ideals are rampantly violated in China. The Chinese government is documented to have killed over 75 million people in its 58 years of draconian rule. Sadly, the host of the 2008 Olympics is labeled "The Worst Regime" by international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International.
In Tibet, the colonial rule of China has resulted in the death of over 1.3 million Tibetans and the virtual destruction of the Tibetan race and civilization through genocide and the demolition of Tibet's environment. Even today, thousands of Tibetans are imprisoned for exercising what should be their basic human rights. These include freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and the right to lay claim to the land, which Tibetans have used, as their source of livelihood for centuries.
Team Tibet
On August 8, 2008, the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games will take place at Beijing. But where will Tibet be? Like any other nation, Tibetans want to be represented at the Olympics, yet Tibet is still occupied, and as a nation, Tibet remains barred from the Games. The 2008 Games are the opportunity for this to change. "Team Tibet" is a movement of people around the globe calling for a just solution for Tibet so that Tibetans can carry their flag in the 2008 Olympics.
There are two aspects of Team Tibet. First, Tibetan NGOs and Tibet support groups will recruit Tibetan athletes to form an actual "Team Tibet", the second step is to reach out to supporters, including celebrities, professional athletes, and the public, to become symbolic members of Team Tibet. For more information log on to www.supportteamtibet.org .
Objectives:
- Highlight Tibetans' aspiration to take part in the 2008 Olympic Games.
- Reach out to high-profile individuals, including former and current Olympic athletes, other athletes, celebrities, and the general public to support and participate in the Olympics Campaign through Team Tibet.
- Engage the media through highlighting the concept of Team Tibet and notable Team Tibet members.
Thousands of Tibetans and their supporters from all over the world will "Bring Tibet to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games" so that Tibet can be justly represented at the Olympics. We further appeal not only to the sports community but also to the wider global community to assume their moral responsibility of promoting the ideals of the Olympic movement by supporting Team Tibet. The campaign will be implemented by Tibetan NGOs and Tibet Support Groups globally and co-ordinated by the International Tibet Support Network (ITSN).
Issued by:
Tibetan Women's Association
Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet
National Democratic Party of Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet (India)