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# Vive Tibet! Olympic passions
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/vive-tibet-olympic-passions/
- Published: 2008-04-12T13:04:47.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:40:07.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:41

**Anthony Barnett (London,** [**OK**](http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net/?ref=opendemocracy.net)**):** I was in Paris last weekend to cheer on our elder daughter in her first marathon, a very enjoyable occasion. On the way back from lunch with openDemocracy's Patrice de Beer walking along the Boulevard Raspail, we tried to stroll, though I have never been a true *flaneur.* It was quite impossible anyway as the Olympic flame, hidden in its bus was heading towards us preceded by a vast police escort. Including flic on roller-skates looking as if they were from the Return of Oz. This was the first bus that went past. Light the passion, share the dream indeed. Like *the* third way, the slogan betrays power's love of the singular. I think the debacle of China's attempt to seize the spectacle will have interesting ramifications here, not least for a Prime Minister who is as uncomfortable as a Chinese suit with sharing the dream even while he too lusts for the passion. So far I have only read one actual debate between a Chinese critic of the global opposition to Beijing's use of the Olympic flame and a supporter of Tibet. It's a must read exchange of comments between [Tony Curzon Price and Lingjei Wang](http://www.opendemocracy.net/blog/tony%5Fcurzon%5Fprice/the%5Fcunning%5Fof%5Fthe%5Fflame).

There is also

- A fascinating and informative piece on the [Chinese internet response](http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/democracy%5Fpower/china/netizens%5Fand%5Ftibet%5Fa%5Fguangzhou%5Freport) by Ivy Wang
- A careful [view from China](http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/china/democracy%5Fpower/tibetan%5Funrest%5Fchinese%5Flens) by Wenran Jiang
- And the [case for a boycott](http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/globalisation/china/olympics%5Fof%5Fshame) by Ramin Jahanbegloo