Too little too late, Mr. Rogge
The altered route of the Olympic torch through San Francisco, due to security concerns, is a perfect metaphor for the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) response to a global outcry against China's human rights abuses: ignore the problem and maybe it will go away.
But the problem of China and human rights has been with us since before the IOC awarded the 2008 Olympics to Beijing. At that time, the IOC argued that China had promised to clean up its human rights record if it was awarded the opportunity to host the Games.
Human rights activists were justifiably skeptical that China would make any changes. The Chinese government has long been known for being strong on rhetoric but weak on action.
Now, with the Olympics only months away, protests are mounting around the world. When the Olympic torch passed through London and Paris the celebrations were marred by protests. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, is refusing to attend the opening ceremonies.
There is pressure in the United States and Europe to boycott the opening ceremonies.
China seems to be unable to understand that jailing Tibetans and calling the Dalai Lama a "terrorist" does not go over well internationally. Its support for the government of Sudan's genocide in Darfur is not something it can sweep under the carpet. At a time when the world is watching closely, the Chinese government seems incapable of even trying to appear to respect human rights.
In the midst of the focus on Tibet and Darfur, it is easy to forget other groups facing persecution. Christians, particularly the house churches, have faced ongoing persecution with pastors jailed and false accusations laid against church members.
Christians should also be raising their voices against religious persecution in China.
Some groups, though, are calling for a boycott of the Games. As someone who has worked for years raising issues of human rights, it is very tempting to join those voices.
But it is the athletes who suffer if there is a boycott. They are not the ones who decided the Olympics should be in China. And it is not their fault that China did not live up to its promises to change its attitudes and practices on human rights.
I have trouble with the notion of asking athletes who have been working, sacrificing, training and dreaming of the 2008 Olympics to refuse to participate. But no matter what happens at this point, the Games will be marred for them. The Olympics will not be a time of world peace and harmony in a spirit of athletic competition. Some athletes have already decided not to compete, and others will likely boycott at least the opening ceremonies-typically a highlight of the Games.
I am old enough to remember past boycotts of the Games. If only one country decides to boycott, it should send a strong message to the IOC that it must be concerned with human rights when awarding the Games.
Twenty-five African countries boycotted the 1976 Montreal Olympics, to protest South Africa's inclusion. All the results of that Olympics are skewed.
It is positive to see the president of the IOC, Jacque Rogge, speak out urging China to take positive steps to protecting human rights. But it is too little, too late.
Now is the moment to keep the pressure on China. Christians should urge our government to call the Chinese government to account. We cannot pretend it is not happening, even if that is what China would prefer.
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