Do you support the call for a boycott of Opening Ceremonies of the upcoming summer Olympics in China? Why...or why not?
We want to state that nobody is wrong in this. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Please be brave in your posting, and we'll quickly eliminate any posts that become combative or offensive to other posters. Post your own opinion, not arguments against others.
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I would support a boycott for the Opening Ceremonies in Bejing. I am totally against what they do to get their city ready for an event such as this. The officials there demanded that everyone give up their pet cats and they rounded up stray cats and put them all in tiny crates to die. Very inhumane. They are cleaning up the city as they are afraid that the cats will carry diseases. They have not thought of how many more rats and other rodents that will thrive now without their natural enemies to keep them at bay-who carry even worse diseases!!! It is obvious that these people were not thinking at all and I would not go to a country where really thoughtless decisions are made and animals are treated so badly. There is no excuse for this kind of treatment and I hope the whole world gives them unforgettable grief about this!!! |
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In my heart of hearts I want to believe that The Olympics are only about sport and not about the politics. An opportunity to show the world a vision of the world living and striving together in peace and harmony.
If a country has the means to host The Olympic Games, let them do it. And let them demonstrate their hospitality and generosity to all the athletes and people of the world who take part in the spirit of The Olympic Games. Our own host of this very website was a victim of a boycotted Olympic Games. He is a fine but unique example of keeping the love of his sport through a very painful and disappointing time in his wonderful athletic career. I have always admired this in Glenn. Praying for a full and worldwide representation in Beijing.
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No boycott: Didn't we learn anything from Montreal? |
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I think the earlier poster meant Moscow 1980, not Montreal 1976. Anyone who thinks the Olympic Games aren't a showcase for the host country is deluding themselves. Having said that, though, politicians shouldn't make decisions for athletes. Glenn Mills knows who really lost out when Jimmy Carter made his ill-advised punitive decision in 1979. (The USSR and other "Eastern-bloc" countries reciprocated for the Los Angeles Games in 1984). Ask Bill Barrett, Brian Roney, Jesse Vassallo, Sue Walsh, Sippy Woodhead, or Glenn about what it meant to them when politics and athletics clashed. All I can say as a bystander to that politically facile move is that while Carter may be a smart man, he devastated an entire half-generation of athletes. Some of the 1980 US Olympic swimmers (Gaines, Lundquist, Moffett etc) made it back in '84, but many members of the team moved on after Carter's expedient decision. I do think it's a better consideration to boycott an Opening Ceremony rather than an athletic event, though. |
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I know the relationship between China and the rest of the world is probably more complex than a peon like me can imagine, but I think it is atrocious what China is and has been doing to Tibetans and Tibet, and I do not even understand how they were even "given" the games in the first place. Yes, by all means boycott the ceremony - if you have qualified, and decide to go there, (perhaps rationalising it somehow that sport is separate from politics or that this is more important to you personally than not going) then at least DO SOMETHING! to make a statement about China's atrocious human rights abuses of Tibetans and other ethnic peoples in China who are deemed "undesirables" while you are there!! I think it would be a powerful statement to China, and to the governments of the world that the people are speaking out, where the governments/Olympic Committee will not. We are very complacent in our privileged lives here in the west. Be brave. Speak out - somehow. |
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I would not support any form of a boycott. Our athletes work too hard to represent our country. Having the freedom to attend ALL of the Olympics says far more than boycotting any ceremonies. Let the athletes choose if and how they want to show solidarity with oppressed people, be it in Tibet or other regions of the world. These gestures would say far and extend throughout the games vs. forgoing a celebration of their achievements and freedom to compete. |
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Hey JB. I didn't know you knew we existed. :) Great to see you here, and thanks for all those great names. So many heros and friends that you mentioned. How that changed the history of swimming, especially with those you left out (we can NEVER name them all). Craig Beardsley (who made a cameo in last weeks DOTW for the sharp eyed), Mary T (who would have won a minimum of 4 gold including the 800 free relay), Tracy Caulkins (who would have written the record books for all the current swimmers to keep chasing). Man, there are SO many more aren't there? You did mention Sue Walsh... check out the cover of this upcoming book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Boycott-Stolen-Dream...=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206141022&sr=8-2 Hoping for more opinions. All valid, and I honestly understand they're all coming from such an empathic place in everyone's heart. Thanks. |
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I may or may not agree with the government of Beijing but the Olympics are supposed to be about sport, not politics. Everyone should have the right to represent their country, both at the opening ceremony and in competition. Even though I think Jimmy Carter was a great president for most of his presidency, his decision to boycott the games hurt an incredible amount of people. I don't think we should get into that again!! |
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A boycott may make a statement, but it will change nothing in China. The policies and politics of China will never reach the standards of the USA and other progressive nations, so punishing the dedicated athletes is pointless...
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i want to ask one question please , why boycott beijin ?? |
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No, I don't think the opening ceremonies in Beijing should be boycotted because in the end the big looser is SPORTS, all sports. |
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No, the time to do something was when they were choosing the host city. If we didn't boycott Germany in '38 what right do we have to boycott anywhere else? Back then it was the athletes that were boycotting the games (fear of surviving). There is no danger to the athletes here so they should go. |
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sorry but my question again could any body tell me what is the probelm in 08 ? |
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Sorry Mecano. There are many issues actually. Do a google search for 2008 Olympic Boycott... then pick one. A quick search brought up 160,000 entries. Then, give us your opinion. Thanks. |
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i think that usa is jealous from any other country who hosts the olympics , and as i see all of thoose vids and things was not here befor (usa took ZERO in 2012 host cities) . and i think espicially for swimmers , to see the polution rate befor they go there , if its hight i think they have to go as late as possible , and if they went there , if there where polution they could stay at the olympic village , and that would be for his race sake , not for somthing else . and for usa lets wait 100 years , and try again hosting the olympics . |
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Ouch. Not sure how this became a USA issue. Seemed to me the boycott talk is coming from all over the world. Kinda dumbfounded at your comments. As I just happen to check messages on my way BACK to bed after watching the Malaysian Grand Prix (which, if held in the USA would probably be called the "Michigan Grand Prix"... uh... doesn't have the same ring to it, even to me). I'm not sure where the USA attack came from, but like I said, everyone has opinions, just very interesting how out of the 160,000 articles, the first article I came across is from Canada, the 2nd is from France, the 3rd is from the UK. I'm still looking for the "USA Calling for boycott because the Olympics isn't be held in the US" articles. Could you send me a link for that one? I want to read what idiotic American is actually posting something like that. Thanks. |
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I have to agree with swimidiot that even if countries tries to boycott the Beijing Olympics, China will not change its policies towards Tibet. In the end, all the preparations and hard work athletes exert will be for naught because of politics. My two cents worth. |
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When I considered this question I wondered if the Olympic movement and ideals allowed for expression of political opinions. Specifically, would the charter of the IOC, which empowers the USOC, allow for a political boycott of the opening ceremonies? Here is what I found: From the Olympic Charter: Rule 51 Advertising, Demonstrations, Propaganda "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any
From the Olympic Charter, and rules for the National Olympic Committee (USOC): Has a responsibility “to ensure the observance of the Olympic Charter in their countries” And, a definition of Olympism:
My interpretation of this is that the USOC cannot condone a boycott of the opening ceremonies by its athletes. |
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The open discussion and the reprecussions of it outside of sports (economic: take my tourist dollars else where, companies pulling factories) very well could be enough to punish China for its actions. Internally I am torn, boycotting the Olympics would be a severe penalty for the inhumane behavior by the Chinese Government and part of me wants that. However looking at other evidence (Olympism and Charter), the effect on the athletes and those possibly inspired by the Olympics to do great things (not just in sports) are all uncertainties that I am struggling with. Although one could debate the happiness of athletes and spectators versus the LIVES of others i.e. utilitarianism. As far as the charter, I also have a problem with this being deemed political. As I see it, its human rights not politics. I don't know if its me, but not supporting a country who does not value human rights is not politics, its personal ethics. I don't want to support a country that has no regard for the basic human rights of others. However, I will support the athletes that do participate in the games, just as I support the troops and not the decision to put them there. (sorry if this opens up a whole other can of worms Glenn) IF I were an athlete I would wear a black arm band in protest and certainly be vocal when the opportunity arose to spread the word. |
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Good points wiken... however, if they wear black arm-bands, they'll be disqualified. UVAquatics pointed that out in that post. Now, because of the ultra sensitive nature of the world, the athletes also have to be very careful how they respond to questions... if they happen to say something that could potentially offend others, or be deemed political, they risk having their medals stripped. Talk about a can 'o worms huh? We're just scratching the surface on this one. |
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That word, POLITICS, its irritating. I suppose I should not say protest of China, rather support for the citizens (fallen and otherwise) of Tibet. |
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Just curious - how would "you" feel if it were the other way around? If the US (insert your own home country here) were hosting the Olympics/World Championships... and other countries that didn't "appreciate" the US (insert your own home country here) foreign policy decided to boycott (so no China, Korea, Middle East, Russia, Eastern bloc...). International sport and politics are inextrably linked - because they're international and big money is involved. IMO there isn't a right answer to this question at least no one's found it yet... |
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With all due respect, but this has gone to far.
Ahhh...so lets sacrifice the Olympics!!! A clear message is being send for heaven sakes!!! No clear message at all. And of course also the chinese people would be stripped from the premier sports event. This can only be solved with smart diplomacy and dialogue, not with a useless boycott. |
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Jan
alleycat
Mecano
Tomás
Joseline Alosbaños
BillySwims
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