Originally posted by The Snappereveryone should boycott the olympics. but then again, if you're gonna boycott these olympics, then you should also boycott both the 2012 games in london and the 2014 games in sochi (russia).
With what is currently happening in Tibet, should democracies consider boycotting the Beijing Olympics (either the athletes themselves or the dignitaries invited to the opening ceremony)?
Originally posted by Palynkamodern day olympic games have nothing in common with those of ancient greece.
Awful. From Ancient Times the Olympics were held even in times of war, with rivals coming together to compete in sport for the duration of the Games.
Despite the fact that I agree with the message, I think that keeping the Olympics apolitical is important.
and boycotting olympic games is nothing new. (1980 in moscow and 1984 in la). therefore in terms of precedence, both the us and russia should boycott.
Originally posted by mbakuninI'm sure some would. North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, could certainly be candidates. I would certainly bet on some politicians/leaders to try to make a statement out of it. I would also be against them. It would be inconsistent of me to defend otherwise.
not really. but the point is universality. if, for example, the us was given the olympic games some time in the future, and the question of boycott came up, would anyone even take it seriously?
Maybe I am showing my American bias but it is hard for me to imagine any event being disappointed that North Korea, Iran and Venezuela boycotted. I certainly think a boycott only has no meaning if people do not respect or miss the party that chooses not to show up. But even a countries presence is missed, it still seems foolish (1) you are not there to make a statement and withdrawing from the world community always takes away a little bit of your power (2) you punish the athletes and the fans of the athletes to make a political statement.
- Joined
- 23 Jul 05
- Moves
- 8869
Originally posted by The SnapperCan you really imagine the Chinese government allowing that? Seriously?
What if winning athletes wore, say, a Free Tibet t-shirt on the medals podium? That way they can still compete but also show solidarity with the Tibetan people, highlight their plight and, hopefully, influence Chinese thought.
Originally posted by Bad wolfObviously it would have to be done covertly, by wearing the t-shirt underneath a track top and then revealing it at the correct moment for maximum impact. Once the authorities were wise to it, then the athletes who wanted to show their support could just refuse to attend the medal ceremony. They would still have won their event and would have to get their medal somehow but several no-shows on the winners podium I'm sure would embarass the government. Just an idea.
Can you really imagine the Chinese government allowing that? Seriously?
I was just thinking about the flag waving protester at the lighting of the torch in Greece the other day. Although the TV crews cut away, the images still made the news and with 2500 (I think) foreign journalists at the Olympics there should be plenty of opportunity to make a statement. Hopefully!
In my mind, the entire point of the Olympics is to get people that would never meet to come together and do something wonderful, and get to know each other in the process.
The Olympics give people the stage that would otherwise never have a chance. Everyones watching them, and the finalists get exposure they would otherwise never get.
These people have trained hard - may of them all their lives, and boycotting the Olympics would take away their opportunity. And we'll miss everything they have to say.
What would a boycott accomplish? We all know the global communities reaction to what's happening in Tibet. Do we know about all of the other things happening in the world that these athletes might show and tell us about?
What a waste it would be.