Vaughan is a member of sporting pressure group Team Darfur

British badminton number one Richard Vaughan has been backed in his human rights stand by two of the highest profile sports politics figures.

The Welsh Olympian hit the headlines with his membership of Team Darfur, a sporting pressure group committed to highlighting China's role in Sudan.

Ex-Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga and Peter Hain MP have backed the rights of Vaughan and others to speak their mind.

"Nobody should be gagged for expressing their conscience," said Hain.

Speaking on the BBC's Sport Wales TV programme, Olonga and Hain urged that Vaughan and other competitors should be allowed to speak their mind at the Beijing Games this summer.

Thousands have been killed and millions more affected by the conflict in the western region of Darfur - and the finger of blame has been pointed at countries like China for not doing enough to stop the suffering.

Athletes need a wider outlook to see how their privileged position relates to the real world Richard Vaughan

Vaughan says that he already has funding difficulties within his sport, but felt compelled to speak out on what he considers a humanitarian issue.

He says that he will continue to do so if he goes to the Games.

"Athletes are not there to get into political issues but to compete and put the Olympics in a positive light," Vaughan told Sport Wales.

"But if they are asked questions on specific issues they have the same rights as any other member of the public to express their views, especially on human rights matters.

"I've seen at first hand some of the problems in Africa.

"The last thing I want is attention. I'm in the last two months of Olympic preparation and the World Championships are coming up.

"I've got my own problems with funding from the British authorities and I don't need what could be - in their eyes - bad press.

"But I feel that it sets a good example for athletes to show that they have more about them than just sport.

"They need a wider outlook to see how their privileged position relates to the real world."

*Sport Wales is on BBC Two Wales and 2W on Thursday at 2200 GMT