Olympic setback fails to deter campaigner

10:30am Thursday 7th August 2008

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AN environmental campaigner from Altrincham is remaining defiant after his attempt to highlight China’s pollution problems was halted at the final hurdle.

Paul Coleman began his Greening The Olympics, Greening the Earth walk across the country in September 2007. But the authorities only granted him a visa until August 6 - two days before the opening ceremony in Bejing.

Despite the setback, Paul said the walk has achieved many of its aims as China prepares to host what it calls a ‘Green Olympiccs.”

He told SAM he had been accompanied on the trip by his wife Konomi and various supporters and he added: “We have gone through a lot of blood sweat and tears for the country and have done nothing wrong. We feel frustrated at not completing our mission, but not disappointed. Our job has been done. We came here to spread the environmental message and we have succeeded.”