Update Apr 18, 2008: Correct some mistranslations.

(This is a translated version of http://www.lavanguardia.es/lv24h/20080413/53455297617.html. I have checked wording against http://www.rae.es and http://www.merriam-webster.com to ensure accuracy within the reach of my capability. Critiques welcomed.)

If they want to punish China, it is unjust to utilize the Games

In a very special day for Juan Antonio Samaranch (Barcelona, 1920), on which sports come to have a ministry at last¹, his old aspiration since years ago, the ex-president of the International Olympic Committee expressed to this daily his disappointment at "the campaign" against China that affects the Olympic torch relay of Beijing.

You always defended that China deserved an Olympic Games.

I have never doubted that. It has a quarter of the world population and has developed in an impressing manner, also in the sport. It is a great power. And a people of 1,400 million habitants has all the right to organize an Olympic Games.

Right questioned and that causes protests everywhere...

What is happening in the journey of the torch of Beijing ´08 is a lesson for the future. The relay of the Olympic flame has to be national, only in the country that organizes the Games, not international. This excess goes against everything.

Does the election of China obliges it any change in its politics?

No, in nothing. Politics is politics and sport is sport. And if there are complaints against China [people] should bring them to suitable forums to express them, like the United Nations. A politic forum, but not taking advantage of the Olympic Games for the repercussion that they have across the world. If they want to punish a country for what it is, they should utilize neither sport nor the Games. Why don't they do so in economy or commerce?

Does China deserve the punishment?

In no way. I have known the country since years ago and its change is extraordinary. And above all in the welfare of its people, which lives no much better. From a country that suffered from famines and all kinds of calamities it has changed into another prosperous one, with a two-digit increase during so many years that it has changed completely. I have a great respect for China. When I was in trouble - the Communist boycott of Los Angeles´84-, China supported me with its participation in that Games.

How do you rate what happens with the torch relay of Beijing ´08: instinctive reaction of the people or something prepared?

When there are violent acts as in Paris and London it is disagreeable and unacceptable, and those are not a coincidence. I hope that the worst has passed. I would say that what there is is a manuever against China.

Do they question the post-Samarach IOC and your successor Jacques Rogge on these events?

No. Since my leave in 2001 the Olympism is on a very good route and has Rogge as a great president. It is a difficult moment but he will succeed, and Beijing´08 will be a success, especially for him.

What can be done now?

We have to know about the Chinese to find out to which point we can reach to ask for something o how to negociate with them. They are very sensible. And, besides, they don't need a lesson in international politic relations. Let's hope that the torch relay, which cannot be changed now, ends up the best possible. When the Games begins everything is forgotten.

Do you resent hearing talks of boycott?

It is a word that no longer exists in the Olympic dictionary. It now serves for nothing but only punishing the athletes of the country that boycotts. If the politicians do so in the opening ceremony, apart from making little sense, it in fact has little importance. If they don't go, the whole world stays very calm. What is important of that act is to have there the 10,000 participating athletes.

¹Refers to the establishment of Spain's Ministry of Education, Social Politics and Sport.