On the same day Chinese police arrested protesters for unfurling a pro-Tibet banner outside the Olympic stadium, Cadel Evans, the athlete who has become the face of the cause, landed in Beijing.
There was no sign of the ''Free Tibet'' T-shirt he had specially made, and wore, during races this year including the Tour de France Evans emerged from customs looking every bit the professional cycling megastar he is, with dark sunglasses covering his increasingly recognised visage.
But his views on one of the most sensitive political issues in the Olympic host country were well known by the awaiting press gang. And Evans, now obviously adjusting the boldness of his statements according to his new environment, said just enough without saying very much at all.
''Had the Australian Olympic Committee spoken to him about his thoughts on the Tibet issue and, more pertinently, how he intended to broach them while in China?'' one member of the awaiting press gang inquired.
''Not personally,'' Evans replied after landing around 8:15am Beijing time, ''but I'm here to ride my race and play my role as part of the Australian Olympic team, not to upset anyone. But of course, yes, I have my opinions.''
When, if at all, did he think it might be appropriate to express those beliefs during his stay in Beijing?
''Ummm, probably when I leave,'' Evans said.
Before Evans walked to the car awaiting him and his five-man road race team he admitted there were doubts about whether he would ride in the time trial next Wednesday an event that he would have entered as favourite had he not been injured in post-Tour de France celebrations.
''60:40 no for the time trial at this stage,'' he said.
''We'll see how the road race goes.''
The two-time Tour de France runner-up has already spoken openly this year about Tibet. He approved an image of him wearing his custom-made ''Free Tibet'' undershirts while racing before it was published on the cover of the Australian edition of the official Tour de France guide, and he and wife Chiara sponsor a Tibetan child.
''Trying to bring awareness of the Tibet movement is something someone in my position can do,'' Evans said in June. ''I just feel really sorry for them. They don't harm anyone and they are getting their culture taken away from them.
''I don't want to see a repeat of what happened to the Aboriginal culture [in Australia] happen to another culture.''
It is understood that Evans, who will headline a world-class team in the road race on Saturday before deciding whether he is fit to race the time trial event, does not intend to stage any kind of personal demonstration during the Olympics.
There is a ''Free Tibet'' icon on his website, www.cadel.com.au, that links to a site selling undershirts and socks. It was still accessible from Beijing on Tuesday.
Under the International Olympic Commitee charter no form of demonstration, religious or racial propaganda is permitted at any Olympic site, venue or other area. The AOC supported the ban on protest and demonstrations but did not approve the clause that disallowed athletes from talking to the media about anything other than their sporting performances.