Two activists who unfurled a Tibetan flag and a banner reading “Free Hong Kong – Revolution” from Athens’ Acropolis were arrested on Sunday
A protester holds a Tibetan flag during a demonstration at the Acropolis Propylaea, in Athens, Greece, on Oct. 17, 2021.Next year’s Beijing Games has triggered protests over China’s human rights record but the International Olympic Committee’s point man for the event, Juan Antonio Samaranch, said the multi-sport extravaganza is about bringing young people together.
The IOC is also facing criticism for awarding China two Olympics – the 2008 summer Games as well as next year’s winter edition – with human rights groups saying no improvements have been made in the last 14 years. “Tomorrow with the lighting of the Olympic fire it is the start of this gathering. People might agree or disagree on a number of things but the Olympics are about trying to unite everybody.”
Samaranch said while China had also banned any international visitors from attending the Games, he still hoped to have a large number of foreign fans in the venues in February, as long as they were residents of China.