08 Apr 08
...and nobody came?
In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, in an article entitled, "Olympians Warned Not to Protest," the following paragraph leapt from the paper and grabbed me by the throat:
"As protests over the Beijing Olympics rise, the International Olympic Committee has sent a memo to its members, advising them on how to respond to media scrutiny of China's human-rights record - and reminding athletes that any 'proactive political or religious expression' during the event will be punished."
Punished! How does the IOC intend to punish athletes who speak out or express themselves religiously? Perhaps the IOC has passed its prime and the whole party should be raided and shut down? I wonder how many members of the IOC received bribes from Communist China's officials or other remuneration in the form of sweet business deals to host the Olympic games? I think I've made up my mind to boycott the 2008 Olympics -- hopefully, all the athletes will do the same.
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by CrowleyWhen the Olympics is awarded to a country like Communist China, one that enslaves political dissidents and tramples on the former sovereign state of Tibet, and the IOC has the gall to tell the athletes -- the alleged stars of the show -- that they can't make any overt political or religious demonstrations for fear of offending the host country, I suppose you chalk it all up to international brotherhood and the spirit of friendly competition? Personally, I hope this is just the beginning of a tsunami of popular outrage and the whole show is canceled.
Christ, you are ridiculous.
Isn't part of the Olympian spirit to get mankind together in celebration through sport despite aversion?
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterI have to agree...
When the Olympics is awarded to a country like Communist China, one that enslaves political dissidents and tramples on the former sovereign state of Tibet, and the IOC has the gall to tell the athletes -- the alleged stars of the show -- that they can't make any overt political or religious demonstrations for fear of offending the host country, I ...[text shortened]... hope this is just the beginning of a tsunami of popular outrage and the whole show is canceled.
Im deeply anti-communist and I think it is ridiculous to have the Olympic games in a country where freedom of speech does not exist
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterYou act like this is something new. China's been communist for a long long time. The Olympics have been around for a long long time.
...and nobody came?
In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, in an article entitled, "Olympians Warned Not to Protest," the following paragraph leapt from the paper and grabbed me by the throat:
"As protests over the Beijing Olympics rise, the International Olympic Committee has sent a memo to its members, advising them on how to respond to medi ...[text shortened]... my mind to boycott the 2008 Olympics -- hopefully, all the athletes will do the same.
Who cares?
08 Apr 08
There is a small-mindedness to these protests.
If the Olympics is over-politicized, it will die.
Of course, most protesters don't care because they live to get in a spotlight, and if not the Olympics they will find some other opportunity.
So those of us who enjoy the spectacle probably need to accept measures to keep it apolitical -- even when we question the politics of the IOC's chosen host country.
08 Apr 08
1 edit
Originally posted by SmookiePI never would have awarded it to such a place. After all, the Games symbolize freedom and competition, not slavery and coercion. The IOC is nothing but a cartel. Their power should be stripped and the games held every four years in Athens, home of the first Olympians.
You act like this is something new. China's been communist for a long long time. The Olympics have been around for a long long time.
Who cares?
08 Apr 08
1 edit
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterThe olympics shouldn't be used by people to advance their own political agendas. The games are about the personal accomplishments of the athletes.
...and nobody came?
In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, in an article entitled, "Olympians Warned Not to Protest," the following paragraph leapt from the paper and grabbed me by the throat:
"As protests over the Beijing Olympics rise, the International Olympic Committee has sent a memo to its members, advising them on how to respond to medi my mind to boycott the 2008 Olympics -- hopefully, all the athletes will do the same.
If people want to protest against china's treatment of tibet then instead of yelling at a torch and hanging signs off bridges, they should stop buying products from China and stop visiting tourist sites like the great wall of china.
The olympics are about the athletes, not Tibet.
This is a joke.
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by uzlessYou may be right. However, even though the Fundamental Principles of Olympism contained in the Olympic Charter don't specifically mention "freedom," parts 4 and 5 do address what is expected of member nations:
The games do not symbolize freedom. The games are just games. It has nothing to do with freedom.
4.The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration
and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.
5. Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by uzlessI agree, so it comes as a shock to me that the IOC is prohibiting political, as well as religious expression during their Olympics. When an athlete wins a race in this year's Olympics, will he be punished for giving thanks to God or making the sign of the cross, etc.? According to the IOC, he will. What that punishment is remains to be seen.
The olympics shouldn't be used by people to advance their own political agendas. The games are about the personal accomplishments of the athletes. ...The olympics are about the athletes, not Tibet.
This is a joke.
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterDiscrimination and Tibet Separation are 2 distinct issues.
You may be right. However, even though the Fundamental Principles of Olympism contained in the Olympic Charter don't specifically mention "freedom," parts 4 and 5 do address what is expected of member nations:
4.The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of an ...[text shortened]... ith belonging to the Olympic Movement.
http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf
No one would argue Canada supports Discrimination so if Quebec decided they wanted to separate from Canada but canada didn't let them, no one could use the "discrimination" reason to protest the games in Vancouver.
08 Apr 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterThe "religious expression" ban is not meant as a ban on an athlete thanking god after they win a race.
I agree, so it comes as a shock to me that the IOC is prohibiting political, as well as religious expression during their Olympics. When an athlete wins a race in this year's Olympics, will he be punished for giving thanks to God or making the sign of the cross, etc.? According to the IOC, he will. What that punishment is remains to be seen.
11 Apr 08
1 edit
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterFor Double Jeopardy and control of the game.
When the Olympics is awarded to a country like Communist China, one that enslaves political dissidents and tramples on the former sovereign state of Tibet, and the IOC has the gall to tell the athletes -- the alleged stars of the show -- that they can't make any overt political or religious demonstrations for fear of offending the host country,
Number of USA gold medals at the 1980 Moscow Games?
[EDIT} : Not all the American athletes wanted to boycott the games because at the time it was felt that by doing so you only helped make the games a political football, rather than the unifying spectacle it was intended to be.