Olympians 'gagged over human rights'

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has accused British Olympic chiefs of a "real abdication of our moral responsibility" over moves to restrict athletes from speaking out about China's human rights record.

A new clause in the contract Olympians must sign before competing in Beijing this year forbids them from making political comments about the host country.

Clegg told BBC1's Politics Show: "It's extremely disappointing. It's part of a pattern of us kow-towing to the Chinese communist authorities.

"We have to be very clear with the Chinese: They now play a significant role in the world economy and international affairs.

"That brings certain domestic responsibilities with it and I think for us to sort of gag ourselves is a real abdication of our moral responsibility to push for human rights wherever they are being abused."

Referring to the prime minister's recent visit to China, Clegg said: "Unlike Tony Blair and certainly unlike President Sarkozy from France, Chancellor Merkel from Germany and even President Bush from the United States, he said nothing publicly on China's appalling human rights record."

According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, a clause inserted into the contracts for the first time says athletes "are not to comment on any politically sensitive issues".

British Olympic Association chief executive Simon Clegg acknowledged that the contract might need to be amended to make its intentions clearer.

"I accept that the interpretation of one part of the draft BOA's team members agreement appears to have gone beyond the provision of the Olympic Charter," he said in a statement.

"This is not our intention, nor is it our desire to restrict athletes' freedom of speech and the final agreement will reflect this."

Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt told Sky News: "Our athletes when they go there must be allowed to say what they want when they go to Beijing.

"I think they have over-reacted and I think they have been perhaps a bit over-legalistic."