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Olympic Torch Activity.doc

Dear colleagues!

We are going to present you a discussion based on a controversial current issue

‘Passing the Olympic torch around the world’ and discuss the events taken place in London.

We’d like to pose you 3 questions for you to debate:

1. Should the tradition of passing the Olympic torch around the world be upheld?

2. Should the politics and sport be mixed?

3. What do you think about the prospects of the Olympic games in China?

1. Newspaper story

Firstly, we will read the news story from the BBC which helps to trigger this activity and get you involved in it:

Clashes along Olympic torch route

Thirty-seven arrests have been made after clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police as the Olympic torch made its way through London.

Protests over China's human rights record began soon after the relay began at Wembley, and prompted an increasing police presence through the city.

One protester tried to snatch the torch from former Blue Peter host Konnie Huq.

After an unpublicised change to the route, the Chinese ambassador carried the torch through Chinatown.

It later made an unscheduled move onto a bus.

A protective ring of 10 Chinese flame attendants and fluorescent-jacketed police officers surrounded the torchbearers at all times, with additional uniformed officers joining at potential flashpoints along the route.

Police decided the torch should travel along Fleet Street to St Paul's Cathedral by bus, rather than held by a runner, after it was surrounded by a large group of protesters.

A contingent of pro-China supporters also tried to make their voices heard along the route, waving Chinese and Olympic flags and calling for "one China".

Outside Downing Street there were chaotic scenes as former Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis took the flame to No 10.

the parade and the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. However he did not hold it.

Police said there were about 500 people in Whitehall and about 2,000 gathered near the British Museum.

Several small scuffles broke out as police tackled some of the protesters.

Beijing Olympic torch relay spokesman Qu Yingpu told the BBC: "This is not the right time, the right platform, for any people to voice their political views.

"So we are very grateful and very thankful to the people in London, the police and the organisers, for their efforts trying to keep order."

Pictures of the London relay were broadcast on China's state-controlled TV, but not of the protests and disruption.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jo Kaye denied officers had been heavy-handed with some protesters.

2. Various viewpoints

After that you will be provided with special cards with 3 position statements on them for 4 different groups:

Runners

1. You feel honored to be chosen to carry the torch in your country.

2. You think that you can carry the torch and from that position protest against China’s human rights record.

3. The Olympics can hopefully bring democratic changes in China.

Anti- China protesters

1. China abuses human rights (in Tibet) and should not be allowed to hold a world class event as if they are responsible and respected.

2. The world’s focus is on China now and we must use this opportunity to get the word out.

3. You can’t separate politics and sport. The Olympics have often been used for political purposes, from Hitler to the Moscow boycott.

British Policemen

1. Our job is to keep order on the streets of London. We will arrest those who violate this order.

2. The Olympic flame relay has a permit to pass through the street of London unmolested and disruption will not be tolerated.

3. We feel justified in allowing Chinese guards to block any attempts to extinguish the flame on the streets

Olympic Committee

1. We want to uphold the tradition of passing the torch around the world on the way to the Summer Olympics.

2. Political protests against the Olympic host are inappropriate because we are promoting world harmony through sport.

3. The Olympics will go ahead in China no matter what.

3. Presentations

You will have 3 minutes to look through them and then you will have to break up into 4 groups according to your number on the card and negotiate those 3 questions (see above) backed up by the position statements given.

You can decide how your group will make its case in 3 minutes. You will have to give your comments on this issue.

After that we’d like you to express your opinion in a form of voting:

If you agree, raise your hand please.

1. Is it too much security hassle about the rally?

2. Will the torch relay always be open to protesters and attacks in future?

3. Is it basic tradition that must be kept?

4. Modern sport is always political, though it hasn’t always been recognize.

5. Should sport and politics be separated as much as possible?

6. Should the Olympic games be truly international and keep politics out?

7. Will it bring democratic changes to China?

8. Will boycotts of the opening ceremony by world leaders be useful?

9. Will the Chinese Olympics set a trend for future Olympics (like Sochi) ?