Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said that athletes who protest for political means such as displaying Pro-Tibetan or Anti-Dafur flags will face sanctions and expulsion under anti-propaganda rules at the Games in Beijing this August

Current Olympic Charter since its inception, bans any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda in any Olympic venue or area

The charter was created after American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Games in Mexico City gave the Black Power salute during their medal podium ceremony, which saw the start of political agenda being used during the Games to make a political statements

However the charter did bend some rules when it allowed Cathy Freeman to drape and display the Aboriginal flag during Olympic Sydney Games in 2000 after winning the 400m women finals. Freeman was highlighting the plight of the Australian Aborigines

Mr Rogge also urged Beijing to abide by its promise to address human rights

China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman responded that IOC’s own charter called for “irrelevant political factors” to be kept separate from the Games

Currently the global Olympic torch journey have been marred by demonstrations