Peter Hoskin

Parisian protests

The Beijing Olympics are being overshadowed by the Tibet issue on every step of this ridiculous torch relay. And rightly so. 

 

Today it was Paris’ turn to get one over the sinister, shell-suited heavies. The opportunity was seized with relish. Protestors forced the torch to be extinguished three times, and the event was ultimately cut short.

 

But is the message getting through to those in charge? It’s hard to tell. The International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge, today expressed “serious concern” about the Tibet situation. But that seems to be as far as any official will go. Unless firmer pressure is applied, I can’t see the Chinese Government backing down over anything. No matter how many times that torch gets put out.

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