Beijing's Road Towards an Infamous and Notorious Olympics -- Olympic gag
rule? Let's talk/USA Today

USA Today, Feb 21, 2008 p02C

Olympic gag rule? Let's talk.(SPORTS)(2008 Beijing Olympics)
Christine Brennan.

Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2008 USA Today

Byline: Christine Brennan

With the most controversial Olympic Games in at least a generation still
more than five months away, there already has been a fair amount of
conversation, talk and discussion -- all about the freedom to continue
doing just that.

Last week, as Steven Spielberg quit working on the Beijing opening and
closing ceremonies because of China's lack of commitment to tackle human
rights abuses in Darfur, the British Olympic Association tried to forbid
its athletes from speaking out on the veritable cornucopia of political
and human rights issues in China.

That idea lasted about 24 hours. Once the British people got wind of the
gag rule, it was history.