The members of IUSFT believe that China DOES NOT deserve to host the 2008 Olympics. Despite repeated attempts by various parties to convince the International Olympics Committee that China should not be awarded such a distinction, the IOC voted otherwise. In a decision made in 2001, China was chosen to host the world's most famous international sports competition that was created to engage "world peace through sport." Ironically, China's domestic policies are a far cry from engaging world peace.

The members of IUSFT believe that this accreditation to China will only compound the social, economic, and political problems that exist presently in China and its occupied territories of Tibet, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang.

1) CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS ARE DEPLORABLE

"South Africa was banned from even participating in the Olympics in order to discourage apartheid. Giving China the distinction of hosting the Olympic Games while its government carries out atrocious human rights abuses would send a clear message that the international community is not concerned about oppression in China and Tibet. Without strong incentives to improve its human rights, the Chinese government will never change."

2) MONEY RAISED FROM THE OLYMPICS WILL BE USED TO FUND CONTINUING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

The Olympics would put billions of dollars in the pocket of the Chinese Government. During the recent Sydney Olympics, Australia went from a trade deficit of $1.5 billion to a surplus of $677 million. While many people believe that supporting China's fledgling capitalist economy will lead to an eventual democratization of Chinese society, the recent past has only shown otherwise. In light of recent, expanding trade relations from Western governments, religious repression and human rights violations have drastically worsened in China. In fact, "1999 saw the most serious and wide ranging crackdown on peaceful dissent in China for a decade. Torture and ill treatment of prisoners was widespread."

3) HOSTING THE OLYMPICS WILL WHITEWASH CHINA'S REPUTATION

In hopes of achieving positive, worldwide recognition and amnesty from its tainted social and political history, the Chinese government is attempting to disguise China in a blanket of normalcy. While unrelenting in its actual authoritarian control of Chinese society, the Chinese government is taking steps to pose a "new, better" China to the world. Such steps include the razing of low income housing sections in Beijing in order to make room from Olympic related sports facilities while creating a more pleasant, aesthetic look to Beijing. In order to erase memories, of the Tiananmen Square massacre, China plans to hold the beach volleyball championships there.

4) CHINA CANNOT GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF OLYMPIC ATHLETES AND AUDIENCES

With all the eyes of the world focused on China, there are many international social and political groups that may take this opportunity to create serious disturbances at the Games in order to heighten greater awareness of China's worsening social, economic, and political problems. While the Games may serve as a means of unprecedented freedom of expression in China, the question remains as to whether officials in China will be ready to handle criticism without employing authoritarian, anti-democratic responses to those groups who speak their minds.