by , 10:50 AM EDT, August 20th, 2008

U.S. citizens in China are having a hard time accessing Apple's iTunes Store now that word has surfaced that Olympic athletes have been listening to the pro-Tibetan album Songs for Tibet. The album was originally available exclusively through the iTunes Store, and was seen by some as a protest against China's control over the region, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Songs for Tibet

Users accessing the U.S. version of the iTunes Store from China had previously been able to purchase and download music without any problems, but shortly after Campaign for Tibet announced on Monday that over 40 Olympic athletes in North America, Europe, and Beijing had downloaded the album, users lost the ability to connect to the music download service.

Proceeds from album sales have been earmarked for "peace-related projects that are dear to the Dalai Lama," which may have played a role in the sudden problems iTunes users have been experiencing.

Officials in China have not confirmed that the government is behind the sudden problems iTunes users are experiencing, but considering the country's negative stance towards pro-Tibet products and statements, it's possible that the Great Firewall of China is involved.