What a Fiasco with Chinese Characteristics -- Internet and TV
censorship, doping and pollution top IOC meetings prior to Beijing Olympics

International Herald Tribune
Internet and TV censorship, doping and pollution top IOC meetings prior
to Beijing Olympics

The Associated Press
Thursday, July 31, 2008

BEIJING: Media censorship, doping and chronic air pollution threatening
the Beijing Olympics are among the main concerns when President Jacques
Rogge and other top IOC officials meet this weekend for a final review
with the games set to open in a week.

The International Olympic Committee and the Chinese organizers are under
fire for failing to deliver on pledges of unblocked Internet access, TV
reporting freedoms and clean air.

The Beijing Olympics are supposed to show China as an open, rising
power. But many facets of the games are contentious. Potential terrorist
threats have been used to justify a stark security buildup that has
smothered tourism in the face of 500,000 troops, local police, commandos
and volunteers.