So, the latest development on the Olympics, according to the International Herald Tribune is that director Stephen Spielberg has refused to have anything to do with the opening and closing ceremonies because China is not doing enough to help with the crisis in Darfur. Spielberg’s choice to add his name to organisations like Reporters Sans Frontières who, amongst others, are boycotting the games has been linked to his 2005 film, ‘Munich’ which looks at the killing of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics.

Read more here: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/13/sports/AS-SPT-OLY-Beijing-Olympics-Spielberg.php

Also, the organisers in Beijing have now commented on the ‘gag’ imposed by the BOA, also in the IHT: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/12/sports/olympic12.php

You can also read more at the Human Rights Watch website: http://china.hrw.org/

And more about the Human Rights situation at the Amnesty site: http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/asia-and-pacific/east-asia/china

[UPDATE]

The Chinese foreign ministry have expressed ‘regret’ over the decision, and (imho) waffled a bit about Darfur:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7244133.stm

While Tessa Jowell, Olympic Minister, says the Olympic boycott has no purpose. Surprise:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7244137.stm

Watch this space.