Berlin – Free speech in China? Not provided. However, the ban on opinions in the country of the 2022 Winter Games is nothing that would have prevented the IOC from awarding the games to Beijing for the second time in 14 years. To where only the reading of the party leadership applies.
For all mature athletes who have considered freely expressing themselves at the Olympics about their experiences, their competitions, their environment, Beijing has just made it clear once again that criticism “of the Olympic spirit, especially against Chinese laws and regulations” is allowed result in penalties. Even the Athleten Deutschland association advised Olympians not to express their opinions.
Security officer confiscates printed t-shirts
China, ok. But how can it be that a democratic country like Australia takes a similar path? Is criticism of China also forbidden there? Are references to human rights impossible? How come Melbourne Park’s tennis stands are losing their right to free speech? However, a video shows a security guard from the tournament organizer preventing Australian Open spectators from wearing t-shirts that read, “Where’s Peng Shuai?”
As a spokesman for the Tennis Australia association immediately announced, according to the entry rules at this tournament, clothing, banners or signs with advertising or political content are prohibited.
Navratilova calls handling of Peng protests pathetic
Tennis Australia could also ask itself where Peng Shuai is, who played regularly in Melbourne. Or how the Chinese tennis player is really doing, who accused China’s former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli of sexual abuse and has only appeared in public sporadically since then. There are serious doubts about their well-being around the world. The women’s tennis association WTA has suspended its tournaments in China out of concern for the world number one.
Czech tennis icon Martina Navratilova called Australians’ handling of the Peng protests pathetic. Activists announced they would be distributing 1,000 t-shirts in the stands at the Australian Open, printed with the question Where is Peng Shuai? What a great sign it would be if Melbourne tennis promoters, instead of sending security guards, painted that very question on pitchside advertising spaces currently reserved for luxury watch makers or flight operators – and oh yes, another major sponsor: the Chinese spirits producer Luzhou Laojiao.