(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-24 11:34

LONDON -- A large majority of the British public believe it would be wrong for British sportsmen and women to boycott the Beijing Olympics, a Guardian/ICM poll said.

According to the poll published on Friday, 72 percent of the surveyed agreed the British team should attend this summer's Games in Beijing, China. Some 9 percent expressed no opinion.

The ICM polled a random sample of 1,003 adults aged over 18 from around Britain.

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The former Olympic champion Linford Christie has made clear his opposition to a boycott, believing it is an unfair demand to make on those who have dedicated their lives to competing in Beijing.

"Athletes have one chance every four years to compete at the Olympics and they should be allowed to do that," said Christie, who won 100m gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Christie criticized those who pursue a boycott to the Beijing Olympic Games as "very hypocritical," saying they "condemn China but all use Chinese electrical goods."

British Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell has also refused to back a boycott. She is supported by the British Olympic Association and the Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Miliband said last week that boycotting the Beijing Olympic Games is not the right path to take.

"We are ever excited about prospects for the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing," Miliband said.

The 29th Summer Olympics will be held in Beijing in August this year.