human-rights groups sent an open letter a month ago to IOC President Thomas Bach, asking that the games be removed from China.
In reply, the IOC arranged an on-line meeting last week that included groups representing Tibet, Hong Kong and others.In a statement to the AP, the IOC said: “Awarding the Olympic Games to a national Olympic committee does not mean that the IOC agrees with the political structure, social circumstances or human rights standards in its country. ...
The IOC has neither the mandate nor the capability to change the laws or the political system of a sovereign country.”Arvin was born in Xinjiang, immigrated to Canada, and still has family in northwestern China.