Athletes want human rights `transparency' for Games

• Athletes have legitimate concerns about the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and organizers need to be transparent in addressing them, says the Centre for Sport and Human Rights chief executive Mary Harvey.

Human rights groups have urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take the Games out of China because of the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, along with other human rights concerns.

“I'd like information and transparency of the situation,” Harvey said when asked whether she was comfortable with the Games taking place in the country.

“Right now in the absence of information, it's difficult to say. I think sunlight is the best antiseptic.”

The goalkeeper for the U.S. soccer team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics, Harvey said sport is more aware of human rights than ever and athletes and fans are asking more questions.

“They do care about where products were made that they might be purchasing, they care about whether or not they are going to be in some cases safe or able to speak freely,” she added.

U.S. Olympic champion skier Mikaela Shiffrin said in March she should not have to choose between her “morals” and her “job.”

“It's building, it's increasing in volume. People have concerns,” said Harvey of criticism of the Games and calls for a boycott.

“They would like more information to disprove what they are fearful of..”

Harvey said the IOC could play an essential role in upholding basic human rights.

“If they choose not to take a position it's not because they are unable to,” she said. “It's a choice they are making opposed to something they are fundamentally unable to do.”