New York Times full-page ad today: Olympic ‘Athlete Wanted’ to stand up for Tibet

I don’t know if any of the small army of Chinese officials who live at the Chinese Consulate overlooking the West Side Highway here in Manhattan ever read the New York Times. But if they do, they likely coughed up their morning tea when they turned to page A9 in today’s Times.

I like to imagine Consul General Peng Keyu sitting down in his office and shaking his head at the front page story, just above the fold: Before Guests, Beijing Hides Some Messes.

“No, no, not hiding,” Mr. Peng says to himself. “Cleaning up. Cleaning up messes. Oh wait, no messes. There are no messes! Dammit.” And he turns to page A8 where the article continues.

Opposite the continued article on page A8 appears a full-page advertisement, impossible to ignore.

In big bold letters, it begins, “At every Olympics, there is ONE ATHLETE who ends up inspiring the world with their courage and character. We’re hoping that athlete is reading this.”

Mr. Peng’s stomach groans, and the phone begins to ring.

The ad copy continues:

WHO WILL STAND UP FOR TIBET THIS SUMMER? As 11,000 competitors gather to stand up for their countries, we ask them this: will one among you also stand up for Tibet? With the Olympics beckoning and the world looking to be inspired by your heroism, we remind you that 6 million Tibetans look to you for the very same thing. You can be there for Tibet, for they cannot. You can speak up for Tibet, for they have been silenced. The people of Tibet pass their torch to you. Will you carry it for them in Beijing?

At the bottom is the Team Tibet badge and the website address www.AthleteWanted.org

Of course, the ad and the website are just parts of a larger effort. Tibetans and their supporters have been reaching out to Olympic athletes from many participating countries, giving them packets of information about the Tibetan struggle and the current situation inside Tibet, T-shirts, small Tibetan flags, Rangzen Bracelets, and “Team Tibet” embroidered patches.

Athletes have already spoken out and expressed concerns about what is happening in Tibet right now. And they have reached out to Tibet groups (maybe us, maybe others, maybe I shouldn’t say!) for information, and advice on what they can do to show support. But until it happens, we may not know what kinds of actions athletes will take in Beijing. But we’re making sure they know.

In a press release sent out today to announce the ad, SFT Deputy Director Tendor says this:

“Olympic athletes have the platform and the power to inspire the world. At the Beijing Games, we believe athletes have the opportunity to inspire not only with their athletic performances, but also by standing up for what is right by supporting human rights and freedom for Tibet.”