ATHLETES competing in this summer’s Beijing Olympics will be required by British team organisers to sign a contract forbidding criticism of the host nation.

A new clause in the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) 32-page agreement states they should not comment “on any politically sensitive issues” and refers athletes to the International Olympic Committee charter which bans demonstrations or political, religious or racial propaganda in Olympic venues.

The agreement, which stretches back to the 1988 Seoul games, is particularly relevant this year because of China’s questionable human rights record and occupation of Tibet.

The Prince of Wales, a supporter of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader in exile, has already made it clear he will not attend the games. His niece, Zara Phillips, is likely to head Britain’s equestrian team and is favourite to win a gold medal in three-day eventing.

The British team’s code of conduct will bind competitors from selection in July until the end of the games on August 24. Competitors who refuse to sign will effectively have ruled themselves out of selection and will not be allowed to travel. Those who break the agreement once the games start risk being sent home.

Lord Alton, the crossbench peer and human rights campaigner, said last night: “Imposing compulsory vows of silence is an affront to our athletes, and in China will be viewed as acquiescence.”

David Mellor, the former Tory minister and one-time chairman of the Sports Aid Foundation, said China’s suppression of human rights and record as a global warming polluter both deserved criticism. “The Chinese have no right to a free ride this summer.”

Graham Newsome, the BOA’s director of communications, said the agreement had been cleared by the British Athletes Commission, which represents all world-class athletes in Britain.

“We are not trying to gag athletes, just pointing out the responsibilities they have as they travel with the team.

“If they are asked a question we are not saying they should not answer. There is a difference in answering in an honest way and going out to make a political point.”