General Chat

What are your thoughts?
Do you think we were right to allow it?

Thirty-five arrests have been made after clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police as the Olympic torch made its way through London.

Protests over China's human rights record began soon after the relay began at Wembley, and prompted an increasing police presence through the city.

One protester tried to snatch the torch from former Blue Peter host Konnie Huq.

After an unpublicised change to the route, the Chinese ambassador carried the torch through Chinatown.

It later made an unscheduled move onto a bus.

Dont agree with what is going on in Tibet but dont think we should boycott them as people have trained so hard for them and its not as if they are every year so some may not be able to compete again.

sure there are other ways to protest against china that would have more of an effect

well it will show the Chinese that protests are allowed in the UK if they are peaceful - only those who tried to disrupt the progress of the torch were arrested, others with posters were left alone. I think it was right to show China the depth of feeling around the world about their treatment of Tibet and I hope they took it on board, but doubt if they will act on it though

Thats the trouble Dawn,people only think of themselves!
Yes,I know people have trained hard for it but what about the bigger picture?:-))

I think there only one way and thats to boycott the olympics,it wont happen because nobody has the guts to do it:-((

Its not just Tibet,there are lots of human rights
Issues with China,

what about the human rights of the people that want to carry the torch through london without being shoved. No I dont agree with the treatment of Tibet but it has nothing to do with sport

No it hasnt got anything to do with Sport,but you have to make a stand!!

Hit them where it will hurt,but like I said more people will have your view than mine,because thats the way most will think!!!

And I dont think you can compare the human rights of a torch carrier to the that of the torture of people!

i personally think the human rights in china are appalling i agree with roxanne accepting this is like accepting the awful way in which this country deal with things.we are always a country to follow the crowd why not make a stand for a change.

Id rather see the est 1 million its cost today to police it,give a a worthy cause,

Sport has been used in propaganda for years...to bolster a regime, to advertise a way of thinking (see 1936 Olympics!)...to give the people 'bread and circuses' and divert their attention.....

Of course sport should be a thing apart...but realistically it isn't! I wouldn't say anyone must boycott the Olympics....but personally, I would not go regardless of how hard I had trained...some things are more important!

I am with Roxanne on this one, sometimes it is important to make a stand.

Rose xx

Hello Rox

I haven't watched it yet but will watch the news later.

China should never have been chosen to host the Olympics because their treatment of Tibet isn't new. As it has, it would have made me very proud if British people involved in the torch carrying had refused to take part - I'm sure I heard that at least one did. Gordon Brown should certainly have played no part in it because it looks as if he's giving approval to China, despite the arranged meeting with the Dalai Lama.

I do appreciate that it would be devastating for any athletes involved in this Olympics if it we boycotted it - and we're clearly not going to - but how important is a sport event compared to what's going on abroad. I think a lot less of Kelly Holmes and co now.

It makes me ashamed of being British when I think about it. It's all right to have things like Comic Relief, where everyone has a good time raising money for starving people and it's all right for us to invade Iraq because of the human rights issues but when a tiny little country like Tibet is suffering we won't do anything because there's no oil and the US haven't told us to and we don't want to upset the Olympics.

the best way to make a stand is with your next vote

Now usually I would be the first to say that politics has no place next to sport.

However...this goes far beyond politics or sport. This is about Human Rights. Something which the Chinese government seem to be covering up. Its all very well smiling and waving and pretending all is well, but that is not what the people are saying.

The real trouble will begin as the torch gets closer to Tibet.

LLC unfortunately, our vote will have no influence on what happens in China or Tibet, never has never will.

unfortunately we seem far too dependent on China for the majority of our household goods - try and find something NOT made in China these days - very difficult indeed

I don't agree with the games being held in China ...... I thought it was a ridiculous decision.

However, I feel torn.....much as I sympathise with the Tibetan people........and HATE some of the things that go on in China........I DO have sympathy for the sportspeople that dedicate themselves to compete. xx

nudging because it's important....

I agree with what most of you have said.

David,I think your spot on:-))

Ann,you are so right about China having a hold on us as far as shopping is concerned,Ive tried to find goods that arent made In China,its nearly Impossible:-(

Why the powers that be have ignored Chinas treatment of Tibet etc must be 30-40 years now and Beijing Square - has that been forgotten?

However if I were an athlete competing I should be worried about my health - the pollution hanging over the stadium is horrendous. - must be everywhere else too.