If an athlete wants to use the Olympic stage to shout to the world about her feelings concerning the human injustices taking place in various spots throughout the world, then let her do it.

She has earned that opportunity. She has worked her butt off to get to the world stage. If she wants to speak out against the Chinese government’s involvement in Tibet and Darfur and with its own people, she has earned the license to do it on her stage.

It’s the earned privilege of any non-athlete.

Some athletes have long used their status and platform for their personal beliefs.

In probably the most famous medal ceremony, Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood on the Mexico City track and field podium at the 1968 Olympics. Smith had earned gold in the 200 meters, Carlos a bronze. Smith raised his right arm and Carlos raised his left arm, with black gloves covering their clinched fists, black socks covering their shoeless feet.

It became known as the Black Power salute.

It was done to raise awareness of perceived injustices on black folks in the United States. The protest didn’t have as many athletes as sociologist Harry Edwards wanted. But the message peacefully came across.

The 2008 Olympics should be no different. Peaceful protests are fine. An athlete does or says something. The media reports it. The word gets out.

That’s the way it should work.

But today we have tear gas in London to dispel crowds. People with fire extinguishers in Paris trying to disrupt the procession of the torch by snuffing it out it. There was even a wheelchair athlete who was the recipient of thrown plastic bottles, cups and food.

“As athletes we’re kind of put in a tough spot,” soccer player Heather O’Reilly said. “I’m a socially conscious individual. I understand why people are using this as a platform. I do. I think it’s a way to bring attention to a lot of issues.

“But my primary focus and the team’s primary focus is the competition itself. … I’m there to compete for my country and play soccer.”

That was the feeling for many of the athletes here at the Olympic Media Summit.

They are conscious of the protests. Some say they know about the human rights issues and are part of groups raising awareness of those issues. But even those actively involved have an understanding of their roles.

“As athletes we have visibility,” softball player Jessica Mendoza said. “To be able to create awareness about positive issues, in Darfur in particular, knowing what’s happening in Africa with 400,000 people being killed and the women that have been raped and so much of the story that’s happening there – there are some many people that just don’t know this is happening. As athletes we can be great advocates for this awareness.

“However, going into the Olympic Games, us as a team, our goal is to fight our battles on the field. As much as I want to create awareness about what’s happening and make a huge difference and talk to as many people as I can, I’ll tell you what – when I step into that arena in Beijing, I have nothing but wanting to win a gold medal on my mind.”

For those socially aware among us, where were the protests before the Olympics were awarded to Beijing? It wasn’t a secret that Beijing was one the potential Olympic cities. Where was the criticism of the International Olympic Committee then? It’s not as if China’s human rights stance has changed drastically in the past decade. These seem to be protests of convenience more than of heart-wrenching devotion toward a cause.

Want to boycott China? Want to protest its government’s stances?

Stop buying things that say “Made in China” and that’ll help.

Don’t get in the way of potential Olympians trying to play sports.

If they want to say something in their arena, it’s their prerogative.

They earned it.

Woodland Park’s Natasha Bruins is The Gazette’s High School Athlete of the Week for April 15, 2008. She was photographed during practice at Woodland Park Monday April, 14, 2008. Photo by The Gazette, Mark Reis

MARK REIS