The government in China has moved swiftly and decisively to quell the Tibetan uprising, by having the Dalai Lama-led country thrown out of the Olympic Games, due to start in Beijing in June.
The Chinese authorities said yesterday that, although the absence of the Tibetan team would be a major blow to the Games, the decision to oust the upstarts had been taken "in the interests of national and international security".
Tibet had planned to send 6 athletes to the Olympics - four of them to compete in the 4X400metres Alms Bowl Relay, one in the Cross Country Chanting, and another in the 3000m Transcendental Meditation Steeplechase.
The Dalai Lama, who is named after a woolly South American quadraped, told a Press conference at his secret mountaintop retreat that he was disappointed, but not surprised, at the actions of the Chinese authorities. He said:
"I am disappointed but not surprised."
