Australia says it will not support any Tibet-related boycott of Olympics

The Australian Olympic Committee will not support any boycott of the Beijing Olympics over human rights concerns.

AOC president John Coates said in a statement Monday that despite a continuing crackdown on Tibetan protesters, Australia endorses the IOC's policy that boycotting the August games would achieve nothing except disadvantaging athletes.

"The Olympic Games have shown by example the benefits of bringing together people from all races and religions to practice sport in a spirit of friendship and fair play," Coates said.

"It is not the role of the IOC to take the lead in addressing such issues as human rights or political matters, which are most appropriately addressed by governments or concerned organizations."

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said he supported the Olympic committee's stand.

"I very strongly believe that we should not in any way bring the Olympics or call the Olympics into question," Smith told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television.

"One of the things which we think actually helps an improvement, so far as China and human rights is concerned, is by exchanges between China and the international community."

Protests spread from Tibet into three neighboring provinces Sunday as Tibetans defied a Chinese government crackdown, while the Dalai Lama decried what he called the "cultural genocide" taking place in his homeland.

The unrest in Tibet began March 10 on the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule of the region. Tibet was effectively independent for decades before communist troops entered in 1950.

In 1980, the then-Australian Olympic Federation defied a directive from the Australian government to boycott the Moscow Olympics because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, although many athletes withdrew of their own accord.

"Australia has participated in every Olympic Games of the modern era and the games in Beijing will be no different," Coates said.

He said the Olympic Games were "a vehicle for good" which will also bring greater scrutiny on China's behavior as a nation.

"They have a positive impact on society and a positive impact on the host cities and countries," he said. "The IOC's focus must remain on enabling highly dedicated athletes to prove themselves at the pinnacle of sport.

"As the president of the IOC, Jacques Rogge, has stated, to deny them that opportunity would penalize athletes and solve nothing."