Athletes should not be used to make political points, Steve Redgrave, Britain's five-time Olympic rowing gold medalist, has said.
Explaining why he will carry the Olympic torch for the London relay scheduled on Sunday in an article published in the Guardian on Saturday, Redgrave said "The torch relay gives the opportunity for people from all walks of life to touch the Olympics, to feel the dream. The games are an experience like no other, but only a few people get to go and experience their magic."
Redgrave, who is scheduled to be the first torchbearer for the London relay, said that the relay is a more important event as it signals the start of the run-up to London Games in 2012 and the torch for him is not simply about a relay around London, it is a moment where the Olympics comes to the front of everyone's mind.
"People shouldn't use athletes who have trained hard to make political points. If the issues are strong enough that the nation and government want to take a stand together against another country, sports people should stand with that, but they should not be misused to make a point," Redgrave said.
"Athletes are trying to come away an Olympic champion. To win a medal at Beijing will make you an Olympic champion and we should encourage athletes to strive for that.
"The Olympics is a unique event and we should celebrate that fact as the torch which marks the start of that Olympic event comes to the streets of London this weekend," the sportsman said.
London will be the fourth leg of the Beijing Olymic torch relay around the world.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article