The Beijing Olympics will be upon us in August 2008.

The host country China has attracted controversy because of its less than shining record especially in the area of human rights and free speech, at least in the eyes of the West.

Some are apprehensive that the more politically oriented athletes will make trouble by taking part in demonstrations or spreading political propaganda when they are in Beijing during the games. Some athletes have been vocal about their right of free speech.

Other athletes have asked their colleagues to keep sports and politics separate.

Recently Steven Spielberg quit as the Games’ Artistic Advisor citing China’s policies in Darfur. I think he has done the correct thing - in the sense that if he does not agree with China, and cannot work with the Chinese as artistic advisor then he should quit, as he has done. But had he not quit, and had he stayed on as Artistic Advisor and started making political criticism while holding that position, then I think that would have been unfair of him, both to himself and to his host.

I think the same applies to athletes. Their free speech should not be curtailed. But it would be wrong to go into a country in the guise of an athlete when your ultimate purpose is to spread political propaganda or to cause unrest. If you want to do that, do it upfront.

Everybody has political views. But it does not mean every place or every time is the right place or the right time to express them.