Protesters Disrupt Flame Lighting for Beijing Winter Games

Police officers run to detain protesters displaying a Tibetan flag and a banner disrupting the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southwestern Greece, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Police officers run to detain protesters displaying a Tibetan flag and a banner disrupting the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southwestern Greece, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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Protesters Disrupt Flame Lighting for Beijing Winter Games

Police officers run to detain protesters displaying a Tibetan flag and a banner disrupting the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southwestern Greece, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Police officers run to detain protesters displaying a Tibetan flag and a banner disrupting the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southwestern Greece, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Three activists protesting human rights abuses in China broke into the archaeological site where the flame lighting ceremony for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics was being held Monday and ran toward the Temple of Hera holding a banner that read “No genocide games.”

The protesters climbed over a fence to enter the grounds and attempted to reach the area where the ceremony was being held. They were thrown to the ground by police and detained, according to The Associated Press.

“How can Beijing be allowed to host the Olympics given that they are committing a genocide against the Uyghurs?” one protester said as she ran toward the temple.
The flame was lit at the Greek birthplace of the ancient Olympics under heavy police security.

With the public excluded amid pandemic safety measures, and a cloudless sky over the verdant site of Ancient Olympia, the flame was ceremoniously kindled using the rays of the sun before being carried off on a mini torch relay.

Earlier, other protestors were detained by Greek police before they could reach the site. Pro-democracy protests also had broken out during the lighting ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

Despite widespread international criticism of China’s human rights record, the International Olympic Committee has shied away from the issue, saying it falls outside its remit.

In his speech in the ancient stadium of Olympia, where in antiquity male athletes competed naked during a special truce among their often-warring cities, IOC President Thomas Bach stressed that the modern Games must be “respected as politically neutral ground.”

“Only this political neutrality ensures that the Olympic Games can stand above and beyond the political differences that exist in our times,” he said. “The Olympic Games cannot address all the challenges in our world. But they set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another.”

Beijing will become the first city to have hosted both winter and summer Olympics.

In a tightly choreographed performance shortly afterwards, a Greek actress playing the part of a pagan priestess knelt to light the Olympic flame, using a bowl-shaped mirror to focus the sun’s rays on a fuel-filled torch.

Standing in front of the few remaining columns of the ruined, 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, she offered a symbolic prayer for the ancient Greek god of light, Apollo, to light the flame.

“Mountains fall silent, birdsong cease,” she intoned as a TV drone buzzed overhead and ranks of photographers clicked their shutters.

Yu Zaiqing, the vice president of the Beijing organizing committee, said the Games brought “confidence, warmth and hope” during the pandemic, which first appeared in China.

“We can and will deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games to the world,” he said.

Police were much in evidence at and around the archaeological site where the ancient Games were held from 776 BC and for more than 1,000 years, until the Christians stamped them out. Anyone heading for the venue had to have an accreditation and pass through checkpoints and metal detectors.

On Sunday, two protesters were detained on the Acropolis in Athens trying to raise a banner to draw attention to human rights abuses in China.

A statement from the New York-based organization Students for a Free Tibet called the international community to boycott the Beijing Games.

”The IOC is sending the world a message that it is OK to turn a blind eye to genocide and crimes against humanity in Hong Kong, Tibet, East Turkestan and Southern Mongolia,” it added.

The Olympic flame will be taken to Athens and handed over to Beijing organizers on Tuesday at the renovated stadium where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.

The Beijing Winter Games will run from Feb. 4-20. Only spectators from mainland China will be allowed to attend. Everyone at the Olympics — including athletes — will be expected to be vaccinated, or else have to spend 21 days in quarantine.



Behind the Fight: Firmino Tells How Arab Champions Are Made

Behind the Fight: Firmino Tells How Arab Champions Are Made
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Behind the Fight: Firmino Tells How Arab Champions Are Made

Behind the Fight: Firmino Tells How Arab Champions Are Made

By: Lulwah Alangari

From the heart of the vibrant combat sports scene in the Middle East, the spotlight does not shine solely on those who step into the cage — it also illuminates the quiet figures behind the curtain who discover, nurture, and build champions carrying their nations’ dreams to the world stage.

At the forefront of these figures stands Brazilian Gustavo Firmino, Vice President of Fighter Affairs and Matchmaker at the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a man who has dedicated his life to finding Arab talent and guiding them from amateur arenas to the heights of international professionalism.

Firmino’s journey began in Bahrain when he joined BRAVE Combat Federation to manage events and special MMA projects, later coordinating fights and overseeing athlete relations. He recalled those beginnings with a wide smile in his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, saying he would always be grateful to Mr. Mohammed Shahin and Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for trusting him to start this path.

When he later moved to PFL MENA, he found himself facing an even more ambitious project. Building a regional league directly connected to global championships was not just a job — “it was a beautiful dream we’re realizing every day,” he said. “We’re not just creating fights; we’re drawing long journeys for Arab talents to reach the world stage.”

Despite years behind a desk, his genuine passion for martial arts flows like a lifeline through his words. He speaks enthusiastically about his childhood filled with Bruce Lee movies, which later led him to practice judo, then jiu-jitsu in Brazil, and even boxing and Muay Thai in Indonesia. Laughing, he says: “This isn’t just a job... it’s who I am.”

When asked about his criteria for selecting fighters, Firmino confidently explained that skill alone is not enough — he looks for discipline, hunger, and a story worth telling. This is what makes him a true talent scout, picking hidden stories from dozens of names and turning them into shining stars in the ring. He proudly recounted the story of Egyptian fighter Mohamed Fahmy, who had competed in small tournaments with barely any recorded footage. Yet his background in judo, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling convinced Firmino of his potential. He signed him for the lightweight tournament — and Fahmy defeated the world runner-up in his debut last year. “Those moments are priceless,” Firmino said, shaking his head in admiration.

He also noted that he sometimes spots unknown champions through social media and keeps an eye on Arabs making their mark abroad, such as Morocco’s Salahdine Hamli, who rose in Spain and this year reached the lightweight semi-final against Algeria’s Souhil Tahiri.

When the conversation turned to challenges, particularly sudden withdrawals due to injuries or emergencies, Firmino didn’t hesitate to say the path is not always smooth. “Sometimes a fighter pulls out a week before the fight — or even days before. Luckily, our region is rich with fighters ready to seize the opportunity.” He cited an example when Abdullah Al-Qahtani withdrew due to injury, and his replacement also had to step down for family reasons. In the end, Algerian Akram Nersi stepped up at the last moment and delivered an impressive performance despite his lack of experience. With a glowing smile, Firmino added: “That’s the Arab fighter’s heart that amazes me.”

Firmino acknowledged that combat sports infrastructure is not yet equal across the Arab world. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Lebanon have made significant strides, while other countries are still at the beginning. But he insists the growth is remarkable and the outlook promising.

For young people aspiring to enter the sport, his advice is clear: start at a professional gym, build a strong amateur career, and then sign with a manager who can guide them properly.

When asked to name fighters he is particularly proud of, Firmino instantly mentioned Egyptian Omar El Dafrawy, who turned his career from a series of losses to becoming a welterweight champion; Iranian Mohsen Mohammadseifi, whom he followed from BRAVE until he became PFL’s lightweight champion in 2024; and Saudi Arabia’s Hattan Alsaif, the first Saudi female fighter under the PFL banner.

Speaking of her with notable admiration, he said: “She’s not just a pioneer — she has a winner’s mentality. It’s not enough for her to be the first; she wants to be the best. I’m confident she’ll inspire many Saudi women... just watch what’s coming.”

He continued to speak passionately about the new wave of Saudi fighters, describing them as having “a different mindset.” They don’t compete just to participate, but to win and raise their country’s flag. He spoke with pride of Malik Basahl, who shone in his professional debut, and Abdulaziz Bin Moammar, who showed impressive skill even in his amateur debut. He concluded with a special mention of Abdullah Al-Qahtani, who became PFL MENA’s first featherweight champion in 2024.

When asked about his expectations for the next season, he laughed: “It’s impossible to predict... every fight can change everything, and that’s what makes this league truly exciting.” But he was more certain when talking about the future of Arabs in the sport, confidently asserting that the Arab region will produce world champions in combat sports within a few years — especially with focused programs to discover amateur talent and guide them to professionalism.

He ended the interview with a decisive look that reflected his deep belief: "This is just the beginning... the future is ours."