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From The Times
November 9, 2007

China denies Bible ban at Olympics

BEIJING Organisers of the 2008 Beijing Olympics denied allegations of religious intolerance, saying that Bibles and other religious items for personal use would be welcome at the Games. Reports that Bibles would be banned at the Olympics next year set off an outcry that prompted a US senator to call the Chinese Ambassador for an explanation and a Christian athletic group to protest.

The Foreign Ministry said that the reports were probably the work of people who wanted to sabotage Beijing’s hosting of the Games. Li Zhanjun, the director of the Beijing Olympics media centre, said: “This kind of report is an intentional distortion of truth.” Its official website states: “Each traveller is recommended to take no more than one Bible into China.”

Religious services for Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist competitors would be available in the Olympic Village next summer, Mr Li said. However, such largesse does not apply to the Falun Gong movement, which is banned in China. (AP)

2008 Beijing Olympics news

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