• London Olympics 2012

China questions safety at London 2012

ESPN staff
August 9, 2011
Police have struggled to contain the riots across London © Getty Images
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London 2012 chiefs are facing questions over whether the capital is capable of hosting the Olympic Games next summer in the wake of riots across London.

China, who hosted the 2008 Olympics, has faced criticism over its censored approach to the internet, but with social networking sites being blamed for aiding the mobility of the rioters, Chinese media outlets claim Britain's liberal approach has left the nation's reputation in tatters.

After a third consecutive night of riots in London, doubts have been raised over the Metropolitan Police's handling of the widespread unrest that on Monday spread beyond London to other major cities around England, and now questions are being asked whether London is capable of hosting a global sporting event.

"The three consecutive days of rioting has spread to east London area where the main sports stadium of London Olympic is located," a report published by the Xinhua news agency stated. "After the riots, the image of London has been severely damaged, leaving the people sceptical and worried about the public security situation during the London Olympics."

Both Twitter and Facebook are banned in China, and a commentator in the communist People's Daily believes China's stance against social networking sites has been justified.

"The West have been talking about supporting internet freedom, and oppose other countries' government to control this kind of websites, now we can say they are tasting the bitter fruit and they can't complain about it," claimed the article.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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