Team Geared Up

KILDARE, IRELAND (Team Geared Up) -
Ukclimbing.com are reporting here that the Chinese government are refusing all permits for Everest this year from their side of the mountain (strange to describe ’sides of a mountain’ being an issue not due to climbing difficulty!). They’re also pushing for restrictions from the other Tibetan side for similar reasons (the Olympic torch is being relayed via the Everest summit as reported here on TGU).
Unofficially it seems due to worry over ‘Free Tibet’ protests. I don’t know the full situation so won’t argue - I’m sure that’s a factor, along with the fact they don’t want to queue to get the torch to the summit!

Anyway, the more interesting comment I saw in the post was in relation to funding in the UK for climbing:

Jack Geldard, Editor of UKClimbing.com has this to say;
“It’s a blow to mountaineering. Government funding for mountaineering in this country has been cut to virtually nothing, grants for expeditions have been completely stopped and there is no funding for competition climbing. The little money we did receive has been channelled in to Olympic sports. It is oddly fitting that the Olympic Everest debacle turns out to be another kick in the teeth for climbers worldwide.”

Is the Olympics not missing the point a bit if they’re sucking up all the funding for ALL other sports that aren’t involved in it? I’ve heard of similar stories here in Ireland? is it the same worldwide? let us know.
Frustrating does not go anywhere near describing my thoughts on this!