How political are olympic games - and specifically the olympic games in Beijing ?
I did remove a response in a thread on the Lounge (talking about the Opening of the games in Beijing) because .. well, no politics in the Lounge. But I thought maybe its worth discussing this anyway.. in a separate thread, and the proper place (I hope ).

Well, in my opinion, olympic games are very political in general.
The olympic games have been used to get political messages across a lot over the years. There have been "big" political boycotts" in 72, 76, 80 and 84, and smaller political boycotts in many other years.
But especially when games take place in totalitarian regimes (like now in China), they become in my opinion VERY political. They deteriorate to a political probaganda event.
Much like the XI games in 1936 in Berlin.
Well, since nowadays most athletes are actually professionals, that have binding contracts to take part in the games (or would lose their sponsors), and the games in generall are more a professional event than a meeting of "amateur athletes" from all over the world (what it used to be...), chances for a "big boycott" are much smaller (money/sponsors rule(s) the games now more than ever).
I think 20 - 30 years ago Chinese politics would have caused a boycott. Well, actually i think 20-30 years ago the IOC would have never decided to let the games play in Beijing to begin with - even if China back then would have been as "relatively open" as it is today. But nowadays the "potential market" for the sponsors of the games (which China definitely is) seems to be a (the) major influence in the IOC decision making process. So we have games that are used as a political probaganda event by a totalitarian regime - and "the world" is OK with that as long as the sponors are happy and can sell their products.
Hmm, i think thats a sad development.

Interesting post, and I agree with you for the most part; HOWEVER, I think we're missing one central point.

To me, what the Olympics are really about, or at least what they should be about is putting aside political differences and getting together for the event anyway. What I've always found really inspiring and beautiful is that warring nations might play side by side in the events!

So, personally speaking, I'm against a boycott of a country with regards to the Olympics. As long as each nation honours the rights of the other nations in relation to the Olympics then I really think this attitude of putting aside our differences and just getting along for the sake of the event is what needs to be emphasized not any other sort of agenda.

Obviously I have huge issues with homophobia, racism, sexism, religious hate, and poor human rights, BUT if the nation scheduled to host the events doesn't discriminate against those individuals from other countries whom they might normally discriminate against while the events are going on, then I'm in favour of the individuals taking part anyway. IF the Olympics can serve as a time for everyone to get along and be treated fairly then I think that's beautiful and inspiring and we should accept this small victory and hope it branches out whether than defeating even that in the name of some other cause.

Just my opinion though
Kevin

hia
I agree with you Kevin on getting along and putting aside issues. but i did feel very uneasy about the various ceremonies. I don't think I could have gone to watch any of the matches, I wouldnt have flown there. and even now I won't fly there unless I am doing some kind of humanitarian work, its a decision I made while watching. the games were China's moment of showing their landing onto the political and economic mainstage, they were, IMO, using it as an opportunity to de-sensitise people to what China actually stands for. it was a screen and I think it worked well. i don't think people should have boycotted it nor do I think china shouldnt have had the opportunity, hopefully it will help them improve themselves too now they've been fully part of the 'community' -- I had heard some reports of this. er, not explained myself very well there. but still I don't agree with China and couldnt go on holiday there as if all these things weren't going on and Im not becoming part of the problem by ignoring it. but.. that does limit me on where i can justify going abroad

celia

I have said before that I think boycotting a host nation is wrong. It was wrong in both 1980 and 1984, and it would have been wrong in 2008. Nations will always have various disputes with one another. That is human nature. It happens on a smaller scale when the Townsends and the Johnsons over on 5th Street fight in regard to the height of the shrubs between their homes. It happens on a much larger stage between two disagreeing nations. However, The Olympics are as much as about national pride as they are about international exhibition of athleticism. Thus, it is a time in which differences should be cast aside so that the world can enjoy its athletes.