ATHENS, Greece, June 5 – A small group of pro-Tibetan activists have staged a peaceful protest outside an Athens hotel hosting a meeting of top IOC officials.
The seven protesters shouted slogans urging the International Olympic Committee to cancel next week’s Tibetan leg of the torch relay for the Beijing Olympics.
Shouting slogans and holding banners, the protesters pressed China to allow foreign media access to Tibet.
Police prevented them from entering the hotel where the IOC executive board are holding a three-day meeting.
Officers carried away four protesters who lay down in front of the hotel, while a plainclothes security guard tore banners and flags out of activists’ hands.
There were no injuries or arrests.
“The IOC must cancel the Tibetan leg of the Olympic torch relay now,” said Han Shan, a spokesman for the Students for a Free Tibet group. “Every moment the IOC waits before taking the right decision is a moment at which Tibetan lives are placed at risk.”
An IOC spokeswoman said the protest was not related to sports.
“The IOC has always said that the Olympic Games shine a spotlight on any host country’s activities and draws attention to non sports-related issues.” Emmanuelle Moreau said. “What happened this morning is an example of that.”
Earlier, a pro-Tibetan activist was rebuffed by security after trying to speak to IOC President Jacques Rogge in the hotel.
China’s government has promised a massive security presence at the games. It has also tightened controls on visas and residence permits for foreigners, who are banned from entering Tibet.
Students for a Free Tibet, which organized Thursday’s protest together with the Tibetan Youth Association Europe, has promised worldwide protests during the Aug. 8-24 Olympics, including in Beijing.
