Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Exiled Tibetans plan alternative Olympics

Why not?

Radio Free Asia:Last Updated 15/05/2007, 20:34:21 - Tibetan exiles in India announced plans for a sporting event next year that organisers hope will take some of the shine off the 2008 Olympics in China.

The 10-day Tibetan "Olympics" will take place from May 10, 2008 in northern India's hilltop town of Dharamsala, the headquarters of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

The head of the organising committee, Lobsang Wangyal, says it will be "purely a sporting event for Tibetans living in exile, as they would not be able to go to Beijing for the Olympics."

He says Tibetan organisations worldwide will fund the event with donations.

Mr Wangyal estimates the cost of the games, which will include marathon, swimming, shooting, archery and track and field events, at around $US90,000.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
OLYMPIC WATCH: Human Rights in China and Beijing 2008

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