Clashes between pro-Tibet demonstrators and police in London and Paris have ensured this year's Olympic Games are truly mired in politics.
And France may yet pull out of the Games.
An inevitable but sorry state of affairs, according to the Chairman of the Isle of Man Sports Council, Geoff Karran.
Mr Karran says there's an important distinction between governments choosing to boycott world events - and individuals making a personal stand.
Mr Karran says athletes who've devoted years of their lives to training should be free to make up their own minds (audio file attached):
(Picture of Geoff Karran from iomgp.net)
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