Two-time Olympic medallist Elvis Stojko says Canadian athletes should "make a stand" for human rights and think twice about heading to the Beijing Summer Games.

Stojko, who won silver medals for figure skating at the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics, said on Saturday he would consider boycotting the Games if he were a competing athlete.

Stojko made the comments during a rally protesting China's human rights record outside the Ontario legislature.

About 200 people showed up for the rally, which included lighting up a mock Olympic torch.

The three-time world figure-skating champion also said it's unacceptable for countries to muzzle athletes' opinions, since the athletes are the ones representing their countries.

China's government has faced mounting criticism over its human rights record, and it drew fire for a recent crackdown against anti-state protests in Tibet.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed he will not attend the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Games, but Canada has rejected the idea of boycotting the Olympics.

"I know for me, it would be extremely difficult to be able to go compete in a country that was hosting the Games but don't exemplify what the Games are being held for," Stojko told the Canadian Press.

He added that athletes have an ability to raise awareness about important issues.

"People should know what's going on, and athletes have a chance to be able to do that if they wish," said Stojko, who said China's treatment of its people is dragging "negative energy" into the world tournament.