National security law: three-time Olympian Tyrone Smith calls on World Athletics to axe Diamond League meet in China
- Bermuda star calls on world governing body to ‘use its influence and help end human rights violations in Hong Kong’
- World Athletics responds saying it can’t let political situations dictate where it hosts events
Olympian Tyrone Smith said World Athletics should axe its Diamond League events in China until the country withdraws the new national security law in Hong Kong, which the Bermudian said is a “human rights violation”.
Smith called on World Athletics to “use its influence and help end human rights violations in Hong Kong by refusing to host its Diamond League meets in China until the so-called national security law for Hong Kong is repealed. Hit them in the national pride and wallet”.
World Athletics responded saying it “believes sport can build bridges and exercise soft power”, according to track and field online news site Inside the Games.
“If World Athletics changed its competition hosts based on shifting political landscapes it would become impossible to maintain a global sporting calendar for our athletes, and a community of 214 member federations,” it said in a statement.
“World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has a strong belief in the ability of sport to build bridges and exercise soft international power for the good of communities around the world, by engaging with all of its member countries.”
The national security law, which was passed by Beijing on June 30, gives China sweeping powers over Hong Kong, which was supposed to be afforded a high degree of autonomy under the Sino-British Joint Declaration until 2047.