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No Tibetans At The Games, Just A Tibetan Flag

The Tibetan flag has been there on display at the stall since day one at the games.

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No Tibetans At The Games, Just A Tibetan Flag
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The International Olympic Committee has around 206 members, probably all countries on this planet are part of this global organisation. When the IOC organises the Games every four years, one can expect to see and meet players and people from all over the world. Rio, at the moment, is such a global village, with all possible tongues being spoken and all national flags fluttering in the sea breeze blowing in from the Atlantic.

Event in the middle of so many flags, it was surprising to see a Tibetan flag at a stall in the food park in front of the Rio media centre. Sharing space with half a dozen other flags, the Tibetan flag, with its snow lions and a rising sun, was hanging from a white canopy under which sat a stage with speakers playing Tibetan instrumental music. On inquiring if any Tibetans were around, a Brazilian stepped up to introduce himself as Romero. A food business owner, Romero is also an activist. Eight years ago, when Beijing was hosting the Games and the Olympic torch relay was coming under attack all over the world in protest against China’s human rights record, Romero, originally from Greece but raised in Brazil, had landed at the Tiananmen Square to protest. He paid a price. “I spent 40 days in a Chinese prison,” says Romero.  “It was worth it. I am happy to fight for freedom. It’s a pity that the Tibetans can’t take part in the Olympics,” says the activist who organises food events and festivals in different parts of Rio besides other tourism-related activities. “But this flag represents the Tibetans who could not be here.”

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Though some Tibetan groups have repeatedly asked for participation in the Olympics, that request has been denied, presumably under Chinese pressure. Romero thinks the Chinese pressure may reach his stall as well. “I am displaying the Tibetan flag to show our solidarity with the Tibetans who are refugees in different parts of the world, mostly in India,” says Romero, adding that he is not afraid of the Chinese who might see the Tibetan flag as red rag and complain to the Brazilian authorities.     

It’s almost 20 days since the media centre opened in Rio, and the Tibetan flag has been there on display at the stall since day one. “Maybe one day Tibet will participate in the Olympics and the World Cup,” says Romero.

Though it’s not commonly known across the world but the Tibetans in exile have their own football team that takes part in some tournaments. Made up of players from Tibetan settlements around the world, especially in India, the team travels to other countries to play football matches despite the Chinese pressure. 

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