Human Rights: a legacy worth its weight in bronze, silver and gold.

As I look ahead to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, I can't help but find the lustre of those five rings tarnished and my feelings about travelling to China conflicted. I am excited to see from a broadcaster's perspective what I know will be an awe-inspiring spectacle from the opening through to the closing ceremony. And more than that, a chance to see, hear and fully experience the diverse culture of China is an opportunity not to be missed.

On the other hand, there can be no doubt that the Games have been sullied by the worldwide protests regarding Tibet and a litany of ongoing domestic human rights violations. And while I extend my sincere sympathy to the thousands of Chinese people suffering as a result of the recent earthquake in Sichuan, that is no reason to let-up when it comes to scrutiny and criticism of the Chinese authorities' human rights record.  Indeed, as we look to open our hearts to the people of China, we should not limit our empathy to the recent tragedy alone.

I want to be clear from the beginning that I am not an advocate of a boycott of the Olympics, but equally, I find it absurd that anyone could suggest that the Olympics are somehow an apolitical event. In my capacity as a host for a group from the International Olympic Committee for our own London Olympic bid, I observed the politics of even attempting to host the Olympics first-hand.

It is in exactly this way that the Chinese government has opened their country to scrutiny of their human rights record, by explicitly stating in their winning bid that human rights would improve after being awarded the Games - when in fact, they are getting worse.  We have seen only some of these activities on television, the locking-down of cities to prevent protest; the silencing, beating and even torture of peaceful protesters asking for the most basic of rights - better housing and effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs to name just two. We surely cannot look at these activities by the Chinese authorities as espousing Olympic values?

China is about to be scrutinized as never before, by foreign visitors and by sports fans watching the Games on TV. And it's absurd to suggest that we shouldn't cast a wider glance at the country at large while we watch our favorite athletes compete.

There are people in China who can't speak out for basic human rights without the risk of persecution, so it is up to people who can, to do so; and not only reporters, presenters, the British Olympic Association, sponsors and governments but ordinary citizens as well. We can and should use this opportunity to look at our friends in China and speak on behalf of those whose silence is involuntary.

It is especially disturbing to me that certain sporting bodies are contemplating a "gagging" of British athletes so they may not speak out, even if their conscience moves them.  In a world so sorely lacking in role models, we often demand our athletes 'step up' and be the leaders we know they should be. It seems strange then that now, when this perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity comes to truly epitomize what it is to be an Olympian - an athlete who lifts and inspires us not only with their athletic success, but with the depth of their compassion and reverence for life - our leaders might ask our heroes to be less than heroic.

Whatever the rhetoric you may hear, that athletes should "shut up and play," that they can't walk and chew gum - never mind think - at the same time; let me assure you that they can and should be expected to speak up against injustice and still make us proud in their arena.

I personally always thought that the best thing about being a sports person in the public eye was the ability to make the world pause, hush and listen. Even if only for a moment, our voices ringing out with a message worth hearing. This is a prize worth owning, a legacy worth its weight in bronze, silver and gold.

I am proud to be going to Beijing as an Olympic Ambassador for Amnesty International and as a broadcaster for the BBC.  Even in these volatile times at home when we have our own daily pressures to absorb our thoughts, it is worth taking a moment to encourage those people with power and influence to extend the hand of friendship to the good people of China and speak on behalf of those there who can not.

"The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity"
- These are the words of the Olympic charter. To me, a far cry from a call to "shut up and play" but rather, a demand that all involved in the Olympics - competitors, observers and fans - take a stand and be counted.

There is a once in a generation opportunity with this Olympic Games to change the world, to make it safer, fairer and more just.  A chance for athletes, politicians and fans alike to tell the Chinese government and indeed the world that human rights secure the basis for all human life, from health and shelter to freedom of expression and religion. Everyone is entitled to these rights, whether they are a gold-medal winning athlete or an ordinary Chinese citizen.