Ancient Olympia. Greece (AP) —Three activists protesting human rights violations in China sneak into the ruins where the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics flame lighting ceremony was held on Monday, with the Tibetan flag and “no genocide game. “
Protesters managed to enter the grounds and try to reach the Temple of Hera, where the ceremony was held. They were thrown to the ground by police and detained.
“Given the genocide against Uighurs, how can Beijing be allowed to host the Olympics?” One protester said in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of northwestern China. Mentioned the treatment of Uighur Muslims.
In the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games in southern Greece, flames were lit under the strict police guard.
The civilian population was eliminated in a pandemic safety measure, and in the cloudless sky of the lush green areas of ancient Olympia, the flames were ritualized using the rays of the sun before being carried by the mini torch relay. ..
Previously, other protesters were detained by the Greek police before arriving at the scene. At the lighting ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, a movement against democratization broke out.
Despite widespread international criticism of China’s human rights records, the International Olympic Committee has avoided the issue and said it is outside its authority.
In a speech at the Stadium at Olympia, IOC President Thomas Bach said that modern competitions are “political” when ancient male athletes compete naked during special breaks between cities that are often at war. Must be respected as a neutral position. “
“Only this political neutrality guarantees that the Olympics can stand beyond the political differences that exist in our time,” he said. “The Olympics cannot meet all the challenges of our world, but they set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and respects each other.”
Tibetan rights activists said in a press release that China is trying to “sports wash” human rights abuses “with the charm and respect that the Olympics bring.”
The Greek National Olympic Committee commented on the protest and respected freedom of expression, while saying, “It is a pity that this traditional cultural event was used by a small number of individuals for other purposes.” ..
Beijing will be the first city to host both the Winter and Summer Olympics.
Immediately afterwards, in a tightly distributed performance, a Greek actress who played the role of a pagan shrine maiden knelt down to illuminate the Olympic torch and used a bowl-shaped mirror to focus the sun’s rays on a fuel-filled torch. rice field.
Standing in front of the remaining few pillars of the abandoned Temple of Hera 2,600 years ago, she offered a symbolic prayer to light the ancient Greek god of light, Apollo.
“The mountains are silent and the birds are singing,” she tuned when the TV drone buzzed overhead and the photographer class clicked on the shutters.
Soon after, I heard the protesters screaming.
Yu Zaiqing, vice chairman of the Beijing Organizing Committee, said the tournament brought “confidence, warmth and hope” during the first pandemic in China.
“We have and will continue to deliver a streamlined, safe and wonderful Olympic Games to the world,” he said.
Police had a lot of evidence in and around the ruins, which lasted more than 1,000 years from 776 BC until the Christians punched them out. Anyone heading to the venue had to be certified and pass checkpoints and metal detectors.
On Sunday, two protesters were detained in Athens’ Acropolis in an attempt to raise a flag to draw attention to human rights abuses in China.
The Olympic torch will be taken to Athens and handed over to the Beijing organizers on Tuesday at the refurbished stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.
The Beijing Winter Olympics will be held from February 4th to 20th. Only spectators from mainland China can participate. Everyone at the Olympics (including athletes) is expected to be vaccinated. If not, you will have to spend 21 days in quarantine.
Protesters block the flame lights of the Beijing Winter Olympics | WGN Radio 720
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