Boa Refuses Olympic Boycott Request

The British Olympic Association has refused a high-profile request from the
European Parliament to boycott the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games because of
China’s human rights record.

Edward McMillan-Scott, a European Parliament vice president, urged a boycott
amid claims of persecution and even genocide in China.

However BOA chief executive Simon Clegg refused to condone the politician’s
claims.

He stated: ‘I think it’s absolutely extraordinary. And of course the European
Parliament has absolutely no influence over the 48 national Olympic Committees
that make up the European Olympic Committee.

‘And so whilst he’s free to express his views in the way that he has, they
will not be taken any notice of.’