Raffarin speaks against mixing politics with sports

(PARIS, April 7) -- As a symbol of the Olympic Movement, the Olympic flame embodies the value of the Olympic spirit, youth, hope and participation, former-French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said on Sunday.

Pinning high hopes on the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing, he said the platform of the event gives athletes worldwide an opportunity to get together, communicate with each other, and get acquainted in the spirit of mutual respect, no matter whether they come from rich or poor nations in Asia or in the West.

He made the remarks in response to reporters' questions at the Eiffel Tower, where the Beijing Olympic torch relay will commence. He expressed belief that the Olympics would make the world more beautiful. "When athletes are awarded the gold medal and national anthems are played in the stadiums, numerous spectators worldwide will be touched," he said.

Raffarin opposed linking politics with sports, saying sports are not politics and there is no reason to obtain political ends through the Olympic Games. He said the world is varied, and UNESCO has always campaigned for a diversified culture in the world, where the Olympic Movement is already a kind of multiculturalism. He stressed that every nation in the world is entitled to choosing the way of development compatible to their conditions, while others have no right to criticize or make indiscreet remarks. He is against the aim of a handful of people to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

Raffarin said that as a country with a 5,000-year history, China deserved and deserves respect yesterday and today. Years ago China chose an opening-up policy and has since achieved tremendous progress. Beijing will host the Olympics and Shanghai will host the World Expo, two events that speak of development and change that have taken place in China. He hopes that people in France would understand China better and rethink China.

A far-sighted and wise politician, Mr. Raffarin has visited China many times. Disclosing that he would attend the Beijing Olympics this August as a special representative of the Francophone countries, he expressed his wish that the Beijing Olympics would be a success.