Imagethief was interested to read today a Xinhua article reporting on BOCOG's new restrictions on Chinese Olympic athelete's participation in "social activities". From the article, I take it that this doesn't mean hanging out in bars or going out on dates (althose those might be restricted as well), but rather appearing in advertisements or promotional activities. The article says:
China has banned its athletes from taking part in advertising and public relations work, local media reported on Thursday.

"In order to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, our country's athletes, including celebrity athletes, are banned from participating in all kinds of social activities," the China Sports Daily quoted Sports Minister Liu Peng as saying.

"Athletes who participate in social activities are relatively easily distracted. If this is not regulated, it may interfere with their training and be detrimental to Beijing Olympic preparations," Liu said.

The report did not specify what he meant by "social activities" or which kinds would be deemed necessary but observers said they included commercial endorsements.

Well, there's no doubt that participating in public relations campaigns can sap one's precious, bodily fluids and lead to a deep sense of fatigue. But, call me a cynic, one has to wonder about the real reason for these restrictions. Is it really that Olympic athletes are "easily distracted" and may thus lose the all-important edge that is being counted upon to win China a basket o' gold? And, if so, aren't there drugs for that? Or is it that BOCOG is worried that a bunch of freelancing, media-whore athletes will clog up the airwaves with commercials and endorsements that detract from the expensive official sponsorships that BOCOG has so assiduously courted? Wayward athletes might even ending up in (ghasp) shameful ambush marketing campaigns run by non-sponsors!

Naw, it wouldn't be that. And only a right bastard would think so.


  Looks like somebody's been participating in
  social activities!