The International Olympic Committee released Friday a three-page ‘fact sheet’ praising the “indisputable success” of the Beijing Olympics that brought change to China is areas such as press freedom, the environment and public health.

The IOC’s timing couldn’t be more cynical. It issued this praise “fact sheet” on the same day Chinese authorities executed Wo Weihan, a scientist accused of spying for Taiwan. His daughter had launched an international appeal against her father’s execution, saying he had only admitted to these allegations after being tortured. The IOC’s fact sheet also comes days after China cancelled the EU-China Summit in protest at plans by EU leaders to meet the Dalai Lama.

Here is a little fact sheet of my own, in a point by point response to the IOC’s self pat on the back.

Emmanuelle Moreau, a spokeswoman for the Olympic Committee, said questions raised by human rights groups would be examined next year’s annual Olympic Congress in Copenhagen (1 to 9 October 2009). Human Rights Watch even called on the IOC to set up an internal mechanism that would audit host cities’ human rights record before the Games. Rendezvous in Copenhagen to see this through!

You can read other articles on this website (such as Second chance…?) which give facts on various crackdowns and broken promises in the run-up and during the Games.