European Union nations and Olympic committees said on Monday they opposed a boycott of the Beijing Games over China’s handling of the Tibet protests.

The EU sports ministers and Olympic committees, holding talks, said sports should not be linked to such a political issue and that previous Olympic boycotts had already shown what limited impact they have.
“Under no circumstance will we support the boycott. We are 100 per cent unanimous,” Patrick Hickey, the head of the European Olympic Committees, said.

“Not one government leader has called for a boycott. A boycott is only a punishment of the athletes,” Hickey said at the meeting.

Slovene Sports Minister Milan Zver, who is chairing a meeting of top EU sports officials from the 27 member states and Olympic committees, said it was no different on the government side. “I am against a boycott of the Olympic Games in China,” Zver said.

His sentiments were echoed by other ministers. Claudia Bokel, head of the athlete’s commission of the European Olympic Committees, said that standing aside has nothing to do with political disinterest. Russia also came out in support for the Games.

Only France’s opposition sounded a different voice.

Aussie stand
The Australian Olympic Committee made it clear that it will not support any boycott of the Beijing Olympics. AOC president John Coates said in a statement that despite a continuing crackdown on Tibetan protesters, Australia endorses the IOC’s policy that boycotting the August Games would achieve nothing except disadvantaging athletes.

“The Olympic Games have shown by example the benefits of bringing together people from all races and religions to practice sport in a spirit of friendship and fair play,” Coates said. “It is not the role of the IOC to take the lead in addressing such issues as human rights or political matters, which are most appropriately addressed by governments or concerned organisations.”