Capítulo 1731: Chapter 776: “No One Can Take Away Our Ambition to Move Forward.
The old man Samaranch locked himself in his office, and all calls were directly hung up.
Almost got blown up!!
In just 24 hours, he received calls from: King Juan Carlos I of Spain, the French Minister of Sports, the temporary sports representative of the United States “Freedom Alliance,” and at least a dozen chief editors from mainstream European dia, all wanting an “exclusive response.”
Finally, it was an official from the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs, reminding him that “so international warrants are still valid, and the Olympic Committee should avoid unnecessary associations with related individuals or entities.”
Red Notice!
Of course, Samaranch knew that back then Spain’s only aircraft carrier was sunk by Victor’s people, no wonder he wasn’t in a good mood.
Marina knocked and ca in, holding a stack of just-received faxes. “Mr. Chairman, the Olympic Committees of London, Paris, Berlin, Ro… at least eight countries have sent formal inquiries.” She pulled out a telegraph,
“A statent from the British Royals’ news office.”
Samaranch took the telegraph.
The statent was very brief, issued in the na of Buckingham Palace’s press secretary: “The Royal Family deeply regrets the International Olympic Committee’s decision to consider xico as the host for the 1996 Olympics. We believe that under the current circumstances, this decision does not serve to uphold the Olympic spirit, but rather may entangle it in unnecessary political controversy. We respect the rights of athletes from all countries to compete, but urge the Olympic Committee to reconsider this choice.”
“Regret.”
Samaranch understood that when the British Royals publicly expressed “regret,” it ant that sports institutions across Commonwealth countries, and a large number of European constitutional monarchies, would feel an invisible pressure.
After all, the ancestors of Europe were not joking.
Sure enough, in the next few hours, the royal families or sports departnts of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, etc., issued similarly worded statents one after another.
anwhile, in the civilian realm, the dia machine was running at full speed.
On the evening of June 23, a talk show called “Tonight’s Topic” on British ITV, hosted by Griffiths, a middle-aged man, included guests such as Mark Dupont, a venture capitalist who fled from California’s Silicon Valley to London, a forr CIA analyst claiming to be a “North Arica Affairs Observer,” and a political science professor from Oxford University.
The show started off restrained, discussing whether the Olympic spirit should be separated from politics.
But soon, the topic shifted to Victor himself.
Mark Dupont, this capitalist who owns a mansion in San Francisco and now resides in London’s Chelsea District, spoke to the cara with emotion: “I have friends in California, I have business there, and I’ve witnessed with my own eyes how the xican Army takes over factories. It’s not liberation, it’s plunder! Victor is just a warlord, an opportunist who ca to power by exploiting nationalist sentints! His regi has no legitimacy, and now he wants to use the Olympics to whitewash himself? This is an insult to the world’s intelligence!”
Host Griffiths tily interjected, turning to the forr CIA analyst: “Robert, you’ve seen a lot of internal information, what kind of person is this Santos? The external descriptions of him seem highly polarized.”
Robert pushed his glasses up, revealing a mysterious smile: “Many official files are classified, but I can share so observations. Have you noticed his public photos over the last five years?”
The screen behind imdiately split, showing on the left a blurry 1991 photo of Victor on Cancun Beach, looking strong but sowhat naive, and on the right a high-definition image of him at a parade in xico City, early 1996.
“Look at this change.”
Robert used a laser pointer to indicate, “It’s not just aging. Note the reflection rate of his pupils under different lighting, pay attention to the texture changes in his facial muscles, and of course, these are just my personal observations, without scientific basis…”
He deliberately paused, leaving a huge space for imagination, “but there are certain rumors that have been circulating underground, like how he has abnormal vitality, sleeping only three to four hours a day; or so more ancient modern interpretations of Aztec sacrificial traditions.”
Host Griffiths imdiately caught the key point: “Are you suggesting so non-human, or supernatural factors?”
“I am not suggesting anything.”
Robert raised both hands, looking innocent, “I’m rely saying that when there is a huge contrast between a political figure’s public persona and actual behavior, people will always look for explanations, and xico… that land has a very unique and profound history of mysticism.”
The Oxford professor frowned, attempting to steer the topic back to academic discussion: “That’s completely unfounded conspiracy theory, we should focus on the substantive actions of the xican regi and its challenges to international law…”
But the audience could no longer listen.
Who doesn’t like… conspiracy theories?
Mark Dupont took over the conversation, lowering his voice, as if sharing a shocking secret: “A friend of mine in xico City told … they say, there are so very ancient ‘practices’ in the Presidential Palace. Every week, there will be… fresh ‘supplies’ to ensure ‘vitality.'”
“Are you implying…” Griffiths leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
“I am rely repeating the rumors I heard.”
Dupont leaned back on the sofa, spreading his hands, “In a place where the rule of law has collapsed and individual power is supre, it’s not surprising for ancient and cruel things to happen. Just think, why are so many countries in Europe against him? It’s not just about politics, it’s because the civilized world cannot accept such… regression.”
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