KEY POINTS:
HONG KONG - Mark Todd is staying silent about any protest he may be contemplating to highlight China's human rights abuses in Tibet.
New Zealand's equestrian legend would not be drawn when asked in Hong Kong if he intended to carry out a pledge to "voice his opinion" in relation to one of the contentious political issues dogging Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics.
"I've got no comment on it," Todd told NZPA.
In March, before Todd was selected to attend a record sixth Olympics, the double gold medallist said athletes "were obliged" to carry out some form of peaceful protest after describing Chinese actions as "totally abhorrent".
The individual eventing champion at Los Angeles and Seoul, Todd, 52, was named in the five-member eventing squad in June, about the time the New Zealand Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee reminded athletes the Games were not a platform for political protest.
Athletes faced reprimands and possible expulsion if they made any political statements in the Olympic village, competition venues and especially on the medal podium.
Still, some athletes have found an alternative forum.
It emerged yesterday that 40 athletes in Beijing urged China to peacefully settle contention over Tibet and protect freedom of religion and opinion.
The Games participants are among 127 international athletes reported to have signed an on-line petition to Chinese President Hu Jintao, bringing sports and human rights together in a way that Beijing has often rejected as "politicising" the Olympics.
The signatories ask Hu "to enable a peaceful solution for the issue of Tibet and other conflicts in your country with respect to fundamental principles of human rights", according to the letter issued by Sports for Peace, Amnesty International and the International Campaign for Tibet.
They also press Hu for "freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of opinion in your country, including Tibet", according to Sports for Peace's German website (www.sportsforpeace.de).
No New Zealanders were initially listed among the athletes.
International protests over Tibet have overshadowed the Games preparations and international torch relay.
Four foreign activists for an independent Tibet brought their cause to the Games' doorstep on Wednesday by unfurling banners close to the main Bird's Nest Stadium.
China has occupied Tibet with Communist troops since 1950 and says Tibet has been an inseparable part of its state since ancient times. Critics say Chinese rule is threatening Tibet's distinctive culture and society.
- NZPA
