A coalition of Tibetan groups warned Coca-Cola that it would be ‘complicit in a humanitarian disaster’ unless it used its influence to ensure Tibet was dropped from the Olympic torch route. Activist group Dream for Darfur are to launch a critical ‘report card’ on sponsors of the games.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said that the company had supported the Olympics since 1928, expressed ‘deep concern’ for the situation in Tibet and cited its support for charities working in Sudan.
Sportswear giant Adidas said: ‘(We are) conscious of the exceptional importance of the protection of human rights. Sponsors, however, should not be expected to solve political issues. We clearly see the limits of our influence.’
Campaigners are unlikely to be deterred by such arguments. Ellen Freudenheim, of Dream for Darfur said: ‘Sponsors don't make policy and we understand that. But combined they have about the equivalent of the GDP of Canada, the world’s eighth largest economy; they have government affairs offices; they have lobbying firms; they have international presences – and they all do engage in politics.’
