Polish Olympic Weightlifter Makes Tibet Protest in Beijing

Yesterday, the weightlifter Szymon Kołecki, shaved his head in a gesture of solidarity with Tibetan monks, before competing and winning a silver medal.

He told a Polish sports news outlet:

“This haircut is from this morning. I can’t directly say why I did it. It’s connected with certain things that the Olympic Charter forbids. But I will say that it’s symbolic.”

On March 20th this year, a week after the Chinese government brutally suppressed peaceful protests in Lhasa and sparked a country-wide uprising, Kołecki said:

“Unless the Chinese regime becomes more moderate, I’ll compete with my head shaved in a gesture of solidarity with the Tibetan monks.”

Head-shaving was one of the suggestions the Athlete Wanted campaign made to athletes as gestures of support for Tibet at the Olympics. In Poland, the campaign was carried out by the Inna Przestrzeń Foundation’s Tibetan Programme, as part of which Polish athletes were contacted directly as well as via the internet. More on the campaign in Poland here: http://ratujtybet.org/Pekin_2008/

Following this year’s dramatic events in Tibet, Kołecki also said:

“I am outraged by what’s going on in Tibet. When I read about it, I can hardly believe I’ll compete in a country that bloodily suppresses street protests and persecutes people who don’t agree with the party. I can’t believe the Chinese have launched an immense operation to block Lhasa.” He continued, “This month in Beijing is a chance for the world’s biggest audience to see how China persecutes the Tibetan people.”

“Until August 17th, I’ll be focused chiefly on my participation in the contest. But after that I’ll keep my eyes wide open and if I see something worrying, I’ll surely not look away.”

Thanks to Tibet Watch in Poland for the translated information.