2008 Summer Olympics

Swimmers in the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit have been smashing records since it made its debut six weeks ago, and some athletes are beginning to grumble that the high-tech swimming gear gives wearers an unfair advantage, the Los Angeles Times reports. Of the 14 world records to have fallen in the last month or so, 13 were broken by swimmers wearing the super-slick, ultra-form-fitting suit—designed with help from NASA. More »

The West must take a stand against China's human-rights abuses by boycotting the Summer Olympics, French philosopher Bernard-Henry Levy insists in the New Republic . Otherwise, athletes will compete in “stadiums stained with blood.” China was supposed to cease its worst behavior, but it’s done the opposite: A pre-Games cleanup has meant expelling the urban poor, demolishing working-class neighborhoods, and jailing even more dissidents. More »

Nicolas Sarkozy says "all options are open" in terms of a possible boycott of the opening ceremonies of Beijing's Olympics. While his aides say that France would oppose a full boycott of the games, the French prez is signaling his discontent with China's recent crackdown in Tibet. "I want a dialogue to start and I will step up my response according to the response given by the Chinese authorities," said Sarkozy. More »

The Olympic flame was lit this morning in Greece, in a ceremony briefly interrupted by human rights protesters. As the Chinese Communist Party secretary—also the head of the Beijing Olympics—spoke, three demonstrators evaded massive security to run onto the field at the stadium in Ancient Olympia. One managed to unfurl a black banner depicting the Olympic rings as handcuffs before they were detained, the AP reports. More »

China’s government hammered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today over her meeting with the Dalai Lama and subsequent condemnation of China's "oppression" of Tibetan protests that turned to riots, the AP reports. Xinhua, China’s state news agency, said “human rights police” like Pelosi employed “double standards” unfair to China and didn’t “check their facts.” More »

Beijing is charging that the Dalai Lama incited recent protests in Tibet as part of a "terror" plot to ruin the Olympic games, Reuters reports. "The Dalai Lama is scheming to take the Beijing Olympics hostage to force the Chinese government to make concessions to Tibet independence," writes China's official newspaper. The Dalai Lama has condemned the violence. More »

The Chinese government may ban live footage of Tiananmen Square during the coming Summer Olympics in Beijing, the AP reports. Increasingly concerned about protests,  Chinese Olympic officials this week told broadcasting organizers an earlier agreement on live shots had been canceled. If the decision stands, it would be a blow to networks, especially big spender NBC. More »

The Olympic torch will pass through London on April 6, meeting major protests over China's human-rights abuses in Tibet and other causes. The visit will test how disruptive political forces could be on the Summer Games—and how well British security forces are preparing for the 2012 London Olympics, the Times of London reports. More »

The air quality in Beijing poses a “possible risk” to athletes in endurance events, the International Olympic Committee announced today. After analyzing data collected in Beijing in August, the IOC’s medical commission concluded that most competitors won't be affected by the smog, but it will monitor air quality throughout the Games and reschedule events if the pollution is too dangerous, the Washington Post reports. More »

Following violent protests against Chinese rule that left 80 dead in Lhasa, according to the exiled Tibetan government, rioting flared today in a province bordering Tibet. Ethnic Tibetans in Sichuan besieged the main government building and set fire to a police station and marketplace. "They've gone crazy," one police officer told Reuters. Police have shot at least seven protesters to death, Tibetan sources say; Beijing disputes the figure. More »

The Dalai Lama today called for an international investigation into China and accused it of engaging in "cultural genocide" in Tibet, the AP reports. The spiritual leader said 80 people have been killed in recent protests. Chinese soldiers and tanks patrolled the streets of the Tibetan capital of Lhasa today, which appeared quiet in images from Hong Kong TV. Condoleezza Rice called for "restraint" on the part of Beijing. More »

Nearly a thousand angry monks and lay Tibetans clashed with police in the capital of Lhasa today in the most dramatic anti-Chinese protests in almost 20 years, writes the Times of London and CNN. Rioters threw rocks at police who tried to block the lamas, and burned Chinese-owned shops, leaving one of the city's main markets in flames. The violence is the latest episode in an upsurge of protests against Chinese rule of Tibet ahead of this summer's Beijing Olympics. More »

Seven Cuban soccer players defected from the national team over the last two days—five on Tuesday and two last night—slipping from their Tampa hotel after a game to seek asylum in the US, the Miami Herald reports. The first five have contacted a lawyer and are in discussions with a second-tier soccer team, Miami FC; they may start training as soon as today, Reuters reports. The loss of seven players could be the team’s downfall in Olympic trials. More »

China has closed down Mount Everest, worried that pro-Tibet protesters might disrupt what’s supposed to be the emotional and physical pinnacle of this summer's Olympic torch relay—the ascent to the summit. Just ahead of the climbing season—April, May and early June—authorities  told expedition companies the Tibetan side of the peak is being shut down, the Times reports. “We are not able to accept your expedition, so please postpone your climbing.” More »

The State Department has taken China off its list of the world's 10 worst human rights abusers, the New York Time s reports. China's human rights record "remained poor," the department's annual report said, with abuses including "extrajudicial killings, torture, and coerced confessions of prisoners." Officials declined to explain why the country was dropped from the list or whether it had anything to do with the Beijing Olympics. More »

Nearly a half-century after China brutally crushed Tibetan opposition and sent the Dalai Lama into exile, calls for China to give Tibet more freedom are stronger than they have been in decades. While Beijing remains unwilling to budge, activists plan to use China's time in the Olympic spotlight to show that the world hasn't forgotten about Tibet. The Independent takes a look. More »

Actor George Clooney is pressuring watchmaker Omega, a key sponsor of  the Beijing Olympics, to speak out against China's involvement in Darfur. Clooney, a spokesman for the legendary Swiss company, is the latest Hollywood figure to use the upcoming Olympics as leverage against China, the strongest ally of Sudan, which is wreaking havoc in Darfur. "I have talked with Omega about China for over a year," said Clooney, who was recently made a UN peace envoy. More »

Tibetan monks staged the biggest protests against the Chinese government in 2 decades yesterday, reports the Times of London. The two sides clashed in Lhasa amid sporadic gunfire. Hundreds of monks and supporters marked the anniversary of a failed 1959 Tibetan uprising. Sources say police arrested as many as 60 monks, although the Chinese government will not confirm the figures. More »

Cheering thousands bid farewell to more than 100 Tibetan exiles as they began a trek today from India back to their homeland to protest China's rule over Tibet.  "Everybody is pumped up," said one marcher. "Many people were in tears as they said goodbye."  Organizers hope to capitalize on increased international scrutiny of China in advance of the Beijing Olympics in the latest push for Tibetan independence.  More »

China has thwarted two terror attacks, a top official revealed today, including an attempted plane hijacking on Friday and a January raid that captured and killed terrorists aiming to "sabotage" the Beijing Olympics, reports CNN. Both incidents were linked to regional separatists whose “goal was very clear,” according to the AP. More »