<p>But while fans, politicians and Olympic organizers shower these athletes with medals, publicity and money (most athletes receive a bonus for winning a medal), many people are calling on them to use their minutes of fame to highlight China&rsquo;s transgressions.</p> <p>The force of just one mega-athlete or superstar is greater than one million everyday humanitarians. If Kobe Bryant or Michael Phelps ignored the &ldquo;no protest&rdquo; agreement they signed and called out the Chinese government for suppression of basic human rights, it would be greater than the men&rsquo;s basketball team reclaiming the gold medal or Phelps surpassing Mark Spitz&rsquo;s record of seven gold medals.</p> <p>Last month Tommie Smith and John Carlos were honored at the ESPY Awards for their legendary fist raising at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. After being ostracized, condemned and threatened for their actions for most of their adult lives, Smith and Carlos are finally recognized for their provoking statement advocating civil rights.</p> <p>How many athletes today have the courage to risk their lives to stand up for something that needs to be acknowledged on an international level?</p> Zina Kumok, Indiana Daily Student china, olympics, human rights, globalization, sport, games, athlete, celebrity the-feed 0 2008-08-05T09:34:55-04:00 <p>The Olypmics kick off this week and, because of pressure from the Chinese government, the athletes have signed agreements pledging not to protest or advocate for any political issues. That's a shame because there are so many Chinese abuses to pick from, ranging from their tacit support of Sudan's government in Darfur to the forcible relocation and censorship of their own people. One author calls for star athletes to remember the legacy of political Olympians and stand up against China.</p> 3 1479 a-unique-platform 2008-08-05T09:35:15-04:00 true false true false false #<Image:0x2b87cd8e6a68> 2008-09-18T10:30:28-04:00 http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=62081 11 253