"Why I'm taking a stand on China"

By BBC Sports | BBC World News
February 14, 2008

But that has not stopped some sportsmen and women registering their unhappiness with the country's involvement in war-torn Sudan.

Thousands have been killed and millions more affected by the conflict in the western region of Darfur - and the finger of blame has been pointed at countries like China for not doing enough to stop the suffering.

China responded to the growing criticism on Thursday, with its foreign minister saying it was "understandable if some people do not understand the Chinese government policy on Darfur, but... that some people may have ulterior motives".

Here, British badminton player and former Olympian Richard Vaughan , a member of pressure group Team Darfur, explains why he felt it was right for him to speak out, and why he thinks GB athletes should be allowed to do so in the build-up to the Beijing Games.

WHY THE CONCERN OVER CHINA?

In my mind, China has an indifferent political record internationally, be it in Darfur, Burma, or many other nations in Africa they do business with.

This, mixed with human rights issues within China itself, and the lack of a free press, means there are always going to be issues with the decision to stage the Olympics in Beijing.

I think the IOC and the Chinese government would have expected some opposition to a certain degree.

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN TO SPEAK OUT?

I believe free speech is very important for everyone.

If athletes feel strongly about a humanitarian topic, they have the right to comment on it, as does any member of the public.

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