Australian athletes are packing their bags in the final countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. So, what will they find when they arrive?
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Kevin Rudd will attend the opening ceremony but some European leaders are considering a boycott based on China's human rights' record. The past few months have seen unprecedented protests surrounding the Olympic torch relay, throwing the spotlight on the plight of the Tibetan people.
When awarding the Games to Beijing, IOC Executive Director François Carrard said "We are taking the bet that seven years from now we will see many changes in China.''
This week Insight asks: Has the bet paid off?
We cross to a correspondent in Beijing to find out. And in our studio, Olympic athletes: Nova Peris Kneebone, Lisa Forrest, Michelle Engelsman and David Wansbrough.
We discuss the athletes' expectations and concerns, and explore China’s human rights record, its environmental policies and freedom of speech.
Also joining the debate are IOC adviser Simon Balderstone, Tibetan refugees, representatives of the Australian Chinese community, Greens Senator Bob Brown and Paralympic swimmer Marayke Jonkers.
Meet the Guests
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David Wansbrough
As part of the Australian hockey team David Wansbrough narrowly missed out on a medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. However, as vice-captain in 1992, the men’s hockey team basked in Olympic glory returning home from Barcelona with a silver medal. David is currently a partner with stock broking firm Evans and Partners in Melbourne and is going to the Beijing Games as a commentator for Channel 7.
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Lisa Forrest
Lisa Forrest is a former Australian swimmer turned media personality, actor and author. Lisa captained the Australian swim team at the1980 Moscow Olympic Games at the sweet age of 16. She retired from the sport at 19 after winning two gold medals at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. She has just released a new book, ‘Boycott: Australia’s controversial road to the 1980 Moscow Olympics’ about her Olympic experience.
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Marayke Jonkers
A two times Bronze medal winner in the swimming pool, Marayke Jonkers is looking to add to her collection at the Beijing Paralympic Games this September. This will be her third Games making her the eldest and longest serving female member of the Australian Paralympic team. Based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Marayke says China’s hot conditions will suit her, but will soon be off to Kuala Lumpur en route to Beijing to acclimatise.
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Michelle Engelsman
At the tender age of 28 Michelle Engelsman has officially retired as an elite swimmer. She represented Australia at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and at numerous World Cups and Championships. She is completing a Masters of International Relations at Sydney University and undergoing a traineeship with Amnesty International. She has set up a Facebook page which amongst other things, raises awareness of human rights abuses in China.
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Nova Peris
Nova Peris made the history books as a hockey player in 1996 as the first Aboriginal athlete to ever win an Olympic gold medal. She switched to athletics and competed in the 1998 Commonwealth Games winning two gold medals before hitting the track at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Nova has just returned from a trip to Beijing and will provide you with an insight into the conditions Australian Olympians can expect when they arrive in a few weeks time.
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