It was the second blip of the day, after two protesters were
detained on the Acropolis in Athens trying to raise a banner to draw attention
to human-rights abuses in China.
There has been widespread international criticism of China’s
treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the northwest region of Xinjiang, as well as its
crackdown on protesters in Hong Kong and its policies toward Tibet and Taiwan.
But the International Olympic Committee has shied away from
the issue, saying it’s out of its remit.
The question of the weather over Olympia is simpler. Greek
organizers have another backup flame lit in advance if the traditional way,
using a bowl-shaped mirror to focus the sun’s rays on a torch, fails again due
to clouds disrupting the ceremony on Monday.
Health measures for the second pandemic flame-lighting at
Ancient Olympia, in the southern Peloponnese region, mean that much of the
normal pageantry is being trimmed back. There will be no spectators Monday, and
only three runners will take part in a symbolic relay that would normally have
lasted days.
The first torchbearer, Greek alpine ski racer Ioannis
Antoniou, said his part in the ceremony is “one of the greatest honors an
athlete can have.”
“And much more as it’s the Olympics that I’m trying to
qualify for,” he added.
Sunday’s dress rehearsal didn’t even have the costumes, for
fear of them getting soaked by rain. Instead, young actresses and dancers
playing the part of pagan priestesses went through their routine looking
incongruous in sportswear and sandals, to save their flowing tunics for Monday
when better weather is forecast.
The flame will be taken to Athens and handed over to Beijing
organizers on Tuesday at the renovated ancient stadium where the first modern
Olympics were held in 1896.
Earlier Sunday, two activists attempted to hang a banner
from the scaffolding on the Acropolis before being detained. Human rights
activists had also staged protests during the flame-lighting ceremony for the
2008 Beijing Summer Games, and disrupted the international torch relay.
The women, 18-year-old Tibetan student Tsela Zoksang and
22-year-old exiled Hong Kong activist Joey Siu, both American citizens, are
members of the “No Beijing 2022” campaign, the New York-based organization
Students for a Free Tibet said.
A security officer took the banner away, but the activists
remained on the scaffolding and deployed a Tibetan flag and a smaller banner
proclaiming, “Free Hong Kong Revolution.” They also chanted slogans including
“Free Tibet,” “Boycott Beijing 2022” and “No freedom, no Games,” before police
arrived and detained them.
Protests are not allowed on the Acropolis — which has not
stopped several from being held over the years by groups ranging from Communist
unionists to soccer fans.
The Beijing Winter Games will run from Feb. 4-20. Only
spectators from mainland China will be allowed to attend. Everyone at the
Olympics — including athletes — will be expected to be vaccinated, or else have
to spend 21 days in quarantine.
The Paralympics are set to follow from March 4-13.
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