Rules not for breaking

New Zealand athletes could be on an early plane home from the Beijing Olympics if they repeat the drunken escapades which threw three cyclists into the headlines at last years Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Visitors to the Olympic Games in China – journalists, athletes and fans – have to be aware that they are heading for a nation which is run by rules and regulations which cannot be tampered with.

Beijing police will not be looking to fill their jails with tipsy foreigners but someone who steps out of line should not expect a tolerant reception, warned New Zealand ambassador Tony Browne.

That does not mean they will get locked up, but rather taken to the airport and put on a plane.

Ever since Beijing was awarded the Olympic Games in 2001, the Chinese Government has been under pressure to loosen its legislation to create easier movement of foreigners and more press freedom.

Diplomats and Beijing-based foreign correspondents confirm that the Government has made major strides and appears genuine in its commitment to open up its nation and the internet, but questions remain on just what the reality will be once 20,000 journalists arrive in town.

There is extensive control of the media and the internet in China, said Browne. Many thousands of websites are banned.

Representatives of the world's media organisations got a small taste of what to expect when the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee (BOCOG) brought them up to speed with its policies for next year's event this week.

Frustrated journalists protested against the endless list of forms, rules and special passes that media and sporting organisations have to work through to cover next year's games.

One policy demands national Olympic committees give 24 hours' notice for a winning athlete to give a press conference in the media centre.

Even when journalists pointed out that it was impossible to predict who would make the headlines the next day, the BOCOG bosses stuck to their guns.

The International Olympic Committee was expected to overrule that particular regulation, but the BOCOG response was indicative of the Chinese concept of rules are rules.

One Italian journalist experienced this first-hand when he ignored the instruction not to take pictures inside the Aquatic Centre.

The Italian took one photograph but was instantly pounced upon by Olympic officials, who took his name and gave him a formal dressing down. It remains to be seen whether this journalist will get his accreditation for the main event next year.

Browne warned that all visitors should not be put off by China's way of life, but respect and enjoy Beijing.

"If people get into trouble, or into jail, we can't get them out of trouble. We will give them the consulate support to make sure they are treated properly, but we cannot interfere in China's legal process," Browne said.

- © Fairfax NZ News