Athletes should not be concerned about their safety at the Beijing Olympics and they would be able to speak freely on their political beliefs, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member said on Sunday.
Australia's Kevan Gosper said he expected Chinese authorities would be able to protect athletes after they announced last week they had foiled terrorist plots to kidnap foreign journalists, tourists and athletes during the August Games.
'I believe athletes will be secure when they are at the Games,' Gosper told Australia's Channel Nine television. 'I do understand they will be disconcerted about (recent) reports.'
Gosper also said athletes would be free to discuss their political beliefs on issues such as Tibet, provided they followed the guidelines set out in the Olympic Charter and the advice from each National Olympic Committee's (NOC's) chief of mission.
'We will give clear guidance to the NOCs on how to advise their athletes,' he said.
'They will be free to speak. All we would ask of them is, as at all previous Games, that they respect the Olympic Charter.
'Please don't demonstrate on political or religious or racial issues in the Olympic precinct, like on the podium or in the village.'
Gosper added that if athletes did protest inside Olympic areas they could be subject to sanctions, which could include having their accreditation withdrawn.
'I don't like talking about sanctions and hopefully that won't happen.'
