THE MINISTER representing the Government at the Olympic Games in Beijing has said that his presence at the Games is totally appropriate.
Minister for Sport Martin Cullen said yesterday he was comfortable at being present in Beijing but accepted there were “clearly issues to be resolved” in the area of human rights.
“I can think of a lot more countries that I would be a lot more uncomfortable in than I would be from a Chinese point of view,” said Mr Cullen.
“On balance, and taking everything into account, I think the right thing to do was to be here. That was the view of every country. No country has and there are 204 countries here,” he told The Irish Times.
Asked whether his presence was acquiescing to the lack of progress by the Chinese authorities in improving human rights for its citizens, Mr Cullen said that there had been marked improvements.
“I have been around a huge number of Chinese people and they would take a very positive view of where their country was some years ago and where it is now.
“I was here about seven years ago and the difference in that seven years is extraordinary. Personal freedoms have changed quite dramatically.
“It’s not perfect and I’m not suggesting it is and there are clearly issues to be resolved,” he added.
Mr Cullen said his three-week visit will involve supporting Irish athletes at every discipline. He said the events he has attended to date include swimming, rowing, boxing, cycling, equestrian and athletics.
Following his meeting yesterday with Sebastian Coe, who is spearheading the 2012 Olympics in London, Mr Cullen said Ireland could benefit greatly from those Games.
“[Lord Coe] said to me that from their perspective they would be very willing to work with us over in Ireland to see if we can share some of the facilities,” he said.
Mr Cullen said that the only facility of Olympic standard in Ireland was the aqua centre in Abbotstown. He said the Australian swimming team was likely to be based there in the run-up to the next games.
“I have a major priority in the next few years to build the next phase of Abbotstown which includes the indoor track. I am anxious to do that. I think there are huge opportunities to do that.
“These are not decisions that we can delay. If we don’t decide now, they won’t be ready,” he said.
Mr Cullen also defended his mode of travel, the hotel in which he was staying and the length of his trip in the face of media criticism over the past week.
“Where I am staying is the China World hotel, where all ministers and government representatives are staying. It was not something that we could have booked ourselves. The Chinese government decided for security reasons that we all stay there,” he said.
