Australia will not boycott Games

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

Unrest in Tibet has raised the prospect of protests or possible boycotts of the Games, which start on August 8.
But AOC president John Coates believes boycotting the Games would achieve nothing, except to shatter the dreams of athletes who have devoted years of their lives to training.
"Australia has participated in every Olympic Games of the modern era and the Games in Beijing will be no different," Coates said in a letter released yesterday.
Coates described the Olympics as "a force for good" that would bring greater scrutiny to China's behaviour as a nation. "They have a positive impact on society and a positive impact on the host cities and countries," he said.
"The fact that the Games in Beijing put the spotlight on the country, thereby encouraging discussion on issues of interest to the global community, is a positive outcome of bringing the Olympic movement to China.
"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 organisations."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will raise concerns over human rights in Tibet when he visits Beijing next month.
Coates will lead a contingent of about 460 athletes to the Beijing Olympics.