The Chinese-language Liberty Times has reported that “New Zealand, Britain and Belgium had banned their players from making political comments on China while participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.”

The three countries have attempted to stop athletes from commenting on political and human rights issues at this year’s games in China.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee communications manager Ashley Abbott said the report was misleading and that a clause in an agreement covering athletes was a standard one for all previous Olympic Games.

A clause in the New Zealand agreement required Olympic participants to not make statements, demonstrate (whether verbally, or by any act or omission) regarding political, religious or racial matters, “as such matters are contrary to the objects and purposes of the NZOC”.

Ms Abbott said the clause was “a general athlete agreement in place designed to protect the athletes, the NZOC and the Olympic Games. We do not ban athletes from speaking, athletes agree to reasonable limitations on what they can and can’t say that could have a negative effect on the NZOC, the IOC or the Olympics”.

Amnesty International have called the clause “disappointing” that the NZOC cannot take the lead in matters involving basic freedom and human rights,” Ms Taylor said. “New Zealand athletes should be treated as individuals who can think and decide for themselves what they say about the human rights record of China.”

The British Olympic Association (BOA) had initially requested its athletes “not to comment on any politically sensitive issues” but had since backed down after public backlash in Britain.