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.jpg Remarks by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are now just behind us. I know it has been a difficult and challenging eight days. But the Games are not about winning or losing, but about sport and about humanity. It's about setting the highest possible standards in preparation for the 2012 London Games. And it has been an incredible Olympic Games - a celebration of sport and freedom, including China's first ever Olympic appearance. China has certainly made the most of the Games. The Games have been a huge celebration of the Chinese nation, the Chinese people, and it has given the nation an opportunity to see and experience a great global event - for the first time in the country's history. But the success of the Beijing Games has also been an opportunity to reflect on a difficult recent past. The International Olympic Committee has not forgotten its history. This is not a competition. It is a celebration. And therefore, we have come together in the spirit of sport and humanity - to ask hard questions and to strive for the highest standards in the Olympic Movement. I am most grateful to the Chinese Government for its support of the IOC and the Olympic Movement during the Beijing Games. But there can be no hiding the fact that the authorities have failed to make good on their promise to respect the Olympic Charter, or to respect the basic human rights of the Tibetan people. And I am disappointed and concerned by the state of media freedoms in the country. I would like to say a special word of appreciation to the tens of thousands of volunteers who have worked during these Games. Their commitment has helped to make the Games what they have been - a great celebration of sport and humanity. But let me be clear. The greatest responsibility of the Olympic Movement is to set the highest standards. And we will not allow our principles to be compromised. The IOC will not sit on the sidelines in the face of a systemic abuse of fundamental human rights. The Olympic Charter is based on the universal values of peace, harmony, friendship, freedom, solidarity and respect for the Olympic Movement, for the athletes, for the Olympic spirit. And these universal values apply to all. The Olympic Charter has a unique standing because it is an instrument of international law. And its words are simple and straightforward. The Olympic Charter says that all people - regardless of their nationality - have the right to take part in the Olympic Games. 847798691e