Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has admitted that Sir Matthew Pinsent's observations on the treatment of young Chinese athletes should be followed up. Pinsent told the BBC of his concern at gymnasts being physically beaten at a sports boarding school in Beijing.
The Beijing Organising Committee has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
"It will have to be investigated," Jowell said. "We can't have young people in a sense being sacrificed in the interests of medal glory."
Jowell also revealed that she had discussed with Chinese authorities the issue of jamming internet websites.
"It has been going on for a very long time," she said. "It is unacceptable that our athletes would not be able to log on to the BBC website to find out what's going on at home."
Meanwhile, Pinsent believes that action may now be taken by the Chinese following his reports about the way the young gymnasts are treated.
"I understand they heard the piece and they've seen the pictures," he told the BBC.
"The latest line is that they're starting to look into it. I don't know if it's going to go further than that but that's as far as they're willing to go at the moment."
MMIX
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