Support Olympic Games in China

To International Community:

On July 13, 2001, Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch, the former President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced to the world that China was granted to host the 2008 Olympic Games. China appreciates this historical decision and treats the 2008 Olympic Games as its top priority. Since the announcement, China and its citizens have been working diligently to prepare for this historical event by investing billions of dollars in human resources and providing endless resources to construct the state of the art Olympic venues and stadiums and installing the newest technology to assure a first rate experience for the world's greatest athletes. Likewise, other countries in the world also have been immensely investing enormous resources to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. China appreciates these countries' efforts to make the 2008 Olympic Games the most enjoyable, memorable, and successful event.

Unfortunately, during the past two months, various protest groups, including some government officials and entities of some countries, have either protested or engaged in activities with an intention of boycotting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games due to the Tibet issue. The protest against the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games seemingly does not concur with the Olympic spirits and purposes. We, the members of the International Chinese Society for Physical Activity and Health (ICSPAH), would like to take this opportunity to announce to the world our full support for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The ICSPAH is a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate professional growth and development among its members to promote healthy and physically active lifestyle through strengthening research and education in Chinese communities. Our official statements are as follows:

Mr. Sigfrid EDSTROM, the former IOC President (1946-1952) stated: "The Olympic Games are not able to force peace, a supreme gift to which all aspire, but in the youth of the entire world brought together is the opportunity to find that all men of the earth are brothers." The above statement clearly delineates that the mission of the Olympic Games is to bring people together from different races, cultures, countries, religions, ideologies and beliefs through sports. The Olympic Games are not designed for solving either international or domestic political issues.

The journey towards a democratic and freedom-filled society varies from country to country due to their differences in cultural backgrounds, education levels, historical impacts, minority structures, economic situations and political systems. No one or no country should expect all the nations in the world to follow the same model, pace and process of social developments. In fact, reviewing China's recent history, its progress in political reform, freedom of speech, economic growth, and people's lives have been improved dramatically with a remarkable and surprising speed. However, China does have many areas needed to be improved just like any other countries such as the U.S. and Russia. We believe that ultimately the Tibet issue will be satisfactorily resolved by China itself. The use of the Olympic Games as a platform to resolve political issues will open the door for future massive political disarray involving the Olympic Games. As Rogge (the current IOC president) has stated that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or area.," This is a principle that has been in the Olympic Charter for more than 50 years in order to preserve the universality of the Olympic Games, and it should not be treated differently for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Throughout the process of preparing the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Chinese people have demonstrated their unprecedented enthusiasm and commitment to this international landmark event. Chinese people are passionately waiting for the opportunity to show the world their sincere hospitalities and friendships. Any boycotts of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games would not only offend the Chinese government, but also, mainly hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games should be perceived as a great opportunity for millions of international audience to visit China so they personally can witness firsthand the progress that China has made in the areas of human rights, economic freedom, societal advancement and individual liberty. Also, those international visitors can bring their own culture, democratic ideas, inspiration, innovative perceptions and friendships to the Chinese people. The Olympic Games can perfectly serve its purposes of promoting friendship and harmony among the international community. To protest or boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics would punish the hard working and diligent Chinese citizens who have worked so hard for the preparations of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and desire to show their hospitalities and friendships to international visitors.

Many Olympic athletes have spent their life-long efforts and personal resources to reach their current performance levels. Competing at Olympic Games has been these athletes' living dreams. Nobody, no politician, no organization and no government entity have the rights to take away these Olympic athletes' privileges they have longed for.

In the recent decade, more conflicts occur in our world; the peace and harmony among the international community have never been more important than in this current era. The 2008 Olympic Games provides a golden opportunity of eradicating our differences and building our common causes for a brighter future of mankind. Let's unite together to support the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games for our brothership, peace, and harmony! One World, One Dream!

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this letter!
Sincerely,

International Chinese International Society
For Physical Activities and Health