Perhaps... Perhaps it is a good thing that the Olympic Games are given to shady regimes where terrible crimes on humanity are taking place. Attention is suddenly drawn towards misery and injustice that has being going on for quite a while. But that's just human nature. We can't direct our attention and outrage towards ALL of the injustices at once, so quite fittingly, the Olympics act as a focusing lens for the eyes of the world. I say next host should be… Russia. It is time for Kremlin to stop silencing voices of opposition.
There are a lot of people in high places (state leaders, IOC, etc) that have a funny way of reasoning regarding the demands for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics. They say, that the Olympics are not about politics. It is about sports, it is in honour of the athletes, to unite the world etc. I find it to be a naïve argument. Is it really that simple? Can you, in the name of athletics, feasts, or global unity, close your eyes to politics, to cultural genocide, to the violation of human rights?
Monday, April 7, 2008
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
On the other hand, is this “the extension of an olive branch” towards China? A chance for Beijing to better itself and its horrible human rights record. It might be. Just don’t say that the Olympic Games are not about politics. Who has the God-given power to decide that? It is what it is. It is the whole world gathering for a feast in the name of athletics, fair play, and world unity, in a regime where people are getting brutally assaulted, arrested, and murdered because of their political views, a regime that is well on their way in marginalizing away the Tibetans and their cultural heritage.
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7 comments:
Dear Sir,
To be honest I disagree with your statement. Why would it be naive to say that the Olympics are not supposed to be political. That is the whole point of it, that it is not political and for once people can put down their differences and just get along.
Given, this is seldom the case especially considering past Soviet and American boycotts. Perhaps this is the appeal of boycotting this sort of event; Making something thats meant to be everything except political, political.
I obviously support fighting for human rights however, I dont support the platform that is being used for this awareness. It shouldn't have to take the Olympics to draw a focus on the human rights violations that are going on. Besides, lets be honest; as if France not attending to the Olympics or anyone else for that matter is actually going to change anything in a country where the state does whatever it feels like doing.
Furthermore, I don't believe that a head of state should have the power to prevent athletes who devote their whole lives to support (and who don't earn much money) not be allowed to compete. I feel this notion is ridiculous.
But going back to the original issue, the Olympics are just the tip of the iceberg, behind the big problem that is a communist regime with seemingly limitless power.
Dear anonymous,
Thank you for sharing your opinion on this matter. I would like to clarify myself. I agree with you that the Olympics are not supposed to be about politics. It should be about a spirit that transcends politics and brings people together.
However, showing up at a party hosted by a crook, without making any objections to his actions, is giving silent approval. Would you want to participate in the Olympics if it was hosted by the incumbent regime in Germany in the 1940's? I am sure you would not. Sometimes sports will have to give way to solidarity and the defense of human rights.
Even if a boycott will not solve anything, it is important that the international community makes a stand and clearly denounces the methods of the PRC. And what better opportunity then now, when the eyes of the world are upon China.
I do realize that there is a danger in politicizing the Olympics, and to avoid it, the games could be given only to nations that respect the declaration of human rights. Then again, with such criteria, the notion of the Olympics as a focal lens for the moral consciousness of the world would disappear. Why not harbor the incredible attention-drawing power of the Olympics for a good cause, by now and then giving it to oppressive regimes?
Thanks for your reply. First of all, lets be honest, the Olympics have already completely been politicized. As far as I can remember, countries from all around the world have used their non participation in this even as a weak and pathetic way to express their disapproval.
I just find it completely ridiculous even though this situation in Tibet has been going on for 30 years and that it is only drawing attention now. However, what angers me the most, is the hipocrisy of countries like France which arrange for their still largely French controlled companies (such as Arriva early this year) signing multi-billion Dollar agreements with the Chinese regime, and then Mr Sarkozy hastily stating he might boycott the Olympic ceremony... Its absurd to say the least.
Also there are many problems with your suggestion. Who decides, which games go to who? And why in the hell should they have the power to do so. Your suggestions echoes, albeit to a lesser extent, to the USAs police of the world;deciding where wrongs are being done, in so far as their interests are met.
-FOVC
Mr. Not so anonymous anymore ;)
Yes, it is of course populist to boycott the Olympics just because of popular opinion, and hypocrite to still carry out uninhibited trade with China.
And I don't know if a boycott will do any good, it probably wont since we're dealing with a regime who call the Dalai Lama "A monster with a human face", and who shrugs off any criticism as anti-Chinese propaganda.
But I still stand by my point that you cannot just carry out the games and close your eyes to what's going on. Diplomatic pressure has to be put on China, and it is sad that it takes the Olympics to bring this matter forth but rather late attention than no attention.
Regarding my suggestion, let me tell you there is little I despise less then world policing by nations who themselves fail to respect both the UN declaration of human rights and the Geneva Convention. No it wouldn't be an arbitrary decision but clear criteria. IOC (should stop taking bribes and) could decide to only let nations who respect the declaration of human rights host the games. Same principle could be applied to the different world cups. It could be a carrot to clean up your back yard.
Hehe, Well i thought you would respect me more as a very well spoken anonymous sir who approached you as "Dear sir".
In any case I am sure you do hate the policing of the world who doesnt! But again, who would decide on this criteria and how? At the end of the day this would almost always marginalize someone in an unfair manner. Should Israel be excluded for constantly raping the Islamic population in Gaza? Should Bhutan be excluded, because they are still a kingdom even though the population love its king (check out this country, its really cool, national geographic did a report on them last month).
Although, I agree that although there should always have been attention drawn the the violations of human rights going on in China it is better late than never. The only thing thing that bothers me about the Olympic boycott, is that it seems like a token gesture from heads of state just trying to show their own population how "human" and "just" they are, when their not at all.
That this sort of behaviour continues to be accepted can only result in its inevitable continuation in the future. In my eyes, boycotting the Olympics is simply not enough.
PS Thanks for writing your blog. Its awsome.
Well it feels good to be addressed as “Sir”, but your contribution to the topic is respectable enough in itself. So..
Dear Sir FO, night of VC,
It seems we can agree that the choice of platform for these protests is far from optimal. But I guess you have to be opportunist when chance comes along for some serious attention to be drawn to the Tibet struggle, especially since we can count on politicians in general not to give a damn unless it comes to their gain in some way. I still can’t help wondering though what a total or devastating boycott would mean in terms of diplomatic results. Too bad for the games and all but give Sweden a few years and they’ll be ready ;)
No the pressure should optimally come in the form of diplomatic persuasion and sanctions of course. But anyhoo that’s not gonna happen.
And yes, I see your point about the difficulty in applying the criteria. And I don’t really know what to say to that. It would not be 100 % fair, no.
To come back to the core of my post, I will use a quote from David Brent, “Let’s agree to disagree” (Please, if you respond again, use the continuation of that quote) Cause I think that when the athletes march into the Chinese arena holding their nations flags high, it sends a message. Intended or not.
Thank you for reading and contributing! Much appreciated!
No problem, I thought id contribute to your blog, I think everyone sharing their thoughts creates a good opportunity to learn from each other.
All homosexuality aside, yeah I agree to disagreeing, and im not quite aware of David Brents Quote, in fact i dont know who he is. I guess this probably makes me ignorant to some extent.
I figure every country should march in with a Tibetan flag hey! That would be quite shocking. Although the chinese TV would probably just cut it off. haha
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