What better way to solve the embarrassing problem of asking the Olympics to uphold the values that it claims to encourage? Little remains of what limited credibility the International Olympic Committee had following their bribery scandals and then the choice of Beijing. For all of the big talk from the IOC and western leaders, the reality is that the Olympics did nothing to further the cause of opening China. A bubble trade economy perhaps forced Beijing to change their approach with the west but the Olympics? Not at all. Now the IOC is making sure they can avoid any problems in the future with any of their host country choices. And when I say "problems" I mean legitimate and well deserved criticism.
International torch relays ahead of the Olympics have been scrapped by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Hat tip to Matt BH for catching this latest sad IOC story.
It follows the controversy that surrounded the Beijing Olympic relay which was dogged by protests as the torch made its way around the world.
The 2008 relay's London leg was hit by several incidents and criticism over China's 'torch police' security staff.
Organisers of the 2012 London Olympics have already said they had no plans to take the torch outside Britain.
