Tibetan Youth Association Europe * Students for a Free Tibet
International Tibet Support Network
PRESS RELEASE
March 10, 2008
TIBETANS LAUNCH OLYMPIC FREEDOM TORCH RELAY IN GREECE
TORCH BEARERS HARASSED, FOLLOWED BY CHINESE AND GREEK SECURITY
Olympia, Greece - Tibetans launched the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay in Olympia today under intense scrutiny and harassment from Greek police and 15 to 20 Chinese government officials. Despite the excessive police presence, the twelve Tibetans carried out the lighting ceremony in front of the ancient archaeological site of Olympia, Greece, pre-empting China’s Olympic Torch Relay launch there later this month. The Tibetan Freedom Torch represents the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice and will be carried to more than 20 countries worldwide, reaching Tibet on the eve of the Beijing Games. The Freedom Torch also highlights Tibetan opposition to the Chinese government’s politically motivated plan to carry the Olympic Torch through Tibet and to the top of Mount Everest.
“China’s Olympic slogan, “One World, One Dream,” rings hollow for Tibetans, who under Chinese occupation have been denied the right to represent our nation at the Olympic Games,” said Tsultrim Dolma Gope, a Swiss-Tibetan shot-putter and Team Tibet member. “We are lighting the Tibetan Freedom Torch to show that young Tibetans are determined to one day compete under the Tibetan flag.”
Tenzin Dorjee, the Tibetan-American detained last April in Tibet for protesting China’s trial ascent of Mount Everest with the Olympic Torch, was one of the torchbearers. “The flame of Tibetan freedom burns brightly in our hearts,” said Dorjee. “Today, 8,700 kilometres from Beijing, we were watched and harassed by 20 Chinese government agents and dozens of Greek police. The intense opposition to our peaceful torch ceremony underscores China’s constant repression of Tibetans’ undying determination to regain our freedom. Despite this opposition, the Tibetan Freedom Torch will carry the message of truth and resistance worldwide, exposing China’s Olympic lies. ”
“China’s so called “Journey of Harmony” makes a mockery of the true Olympic ideals of peace and unity amongst nations,” said Kelsang Gope, a representative of the National Olympic Committee Tibet. “On the contrary, instead of upholding these ideals, the International Olympic Committee’s main concern seems to be the pursuit of its own business interest and that of its corporate sponsors. The participation of Team Tibet in the Games would have exposed the hypocritical show that the Beijing Olympics represent.” In December 2007, the International Olympic Committee rejected Team Tibet’s official application to compete at the Beijing Olympics.
The lighting ceremony included traditional Tibetan incense offerings by five “Lhamos” or Tibetan goddesses, and the singing of the Tibetan National Anthem. The Freedom Torch lighting ceremony also marked the commemoration of the 49th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising when tens of thousands of Tibetans in Lhasa and across Tibet rose up against China’s occupation of their homeland.
Press Contacts:
Tenzin Dorjee, Students for a Free Tibet, (English/Tibetan): + 30 6944-126-987
Tendon Dahortsang, “Tibetan Freedom Torch” Spokesperson, (German/English/Tibetan) Kelsang Gope, National Olympic Committee Tibet, (German/English): + 30 6976-932-038
Background Information
The National Olympic Committee Tibet and Team Tibet were formed in 2007 in order to give a voice to Tibetan athletes at the Beijing Olympics. Notable Team Tibet supporters include: Director Oliver Stone, former Olympic Medal winners and Members of the European Parliament. The Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay is being organized by the International Tibet Support Network (ITSN), a global coalition of over 150 Tibet Support Groups worldwide.
For further information, visit:
www.tibetanfreedomtorch.org (Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay)
www.teamtibet.org (Support Team Tibet)
www.march10.org (Tibetan National Uprising)
For high-resolution images and video footage please visit:
http://crelith.dondi.li
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