Spring Break
China should not host 2008 Olympics
Phil Elder
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Opinion
In the early 1930s, the bid to host the 1936 Summer Olympics was won by the rising German Reich, spearheaded of course by the personification of evil, Adolf Hitler.
Though the location of the games at that time seemed relatively harmless, the grandeur of the spectacle legitimated, in many previously contesting eyes, Hitler's reign over the motherland and the positive effects that he was having on the nation previously overrun by depression.
We all know how the story turned out.
In 2001, China won the bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Though some see this as an inclusion of Asia in a seemingly Europeanized tradition, it seems to many others to be a frightening repeat of a mistake made 70 years ago.
Now that the games grow near, these sentiments are turning into protests against China for the volumes of environmental and humanitarian travesties in which it willingly engages -- not to mention the deplorable measures it has taken in preparation for the Olympics.
Beijing has the most polluted air in the world.
Though the effect of said pollutants on the athletes would be minimal, it is rather unpleasant, and to try to attract spectators the Chinese government has shut down or relocated huge amounts of factories, stripping thousands of jobs from the city's working class.
Obviously, the easiest way to counterbalance this is to remove pesky homeless people from the scene as well.
According to Metro Media, thousands of beggars have been transferred to camps outside the city limits.
Within the city exists a rampant stray pet population, unsightly for reporters and upper-class Olympic visitors.
Thus, the national government has set up what animal rights groups are calling "death camps" for hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs, in an attempt to clean up the streets for visitors. They have engaged in several land grants and enforced evictions of privately owned land in preparation for the games.
Though the location of the games at that time seemed relatively harmless, the grandeur of the spectacle legitimated, in many previously contesting eyes, Hitler's reign over the motherland and the positive effects that he was having on the nation previously overrun by depression.
We all know how the story turned out.
In 2001, China won the bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Though some see this as an inclusion of Asia in a seemingly Europeanized tradition, it seems to many others to be a frightening repeat of a mistake made 70 years ago.
Now that the games grow near, these sentiments are turning into protests against China for the volumes of environmental and humanitarian travesties in which it willingly engages -- not to mention the deplorable measures it has taken in preparation for the Olympics.
Beijing has the most polluted air in the world.
Though the effect of said pollutants on the athletes would be minimal, it is rather unpleasant, and to try to attract spectators the Chinese government has shut down or relocated huge amounts of factories, stripping thousands of jobs from the city's working class.
Obviously, the easiest way to counterbalance this is to remove pesky homeless people from the scene as well.
According to Metro Media, thousands of beggars have been transferred to camps outside the city limits.
Within the city exists a rampant stray pet population, unsightly for reporters and upper-class Olympic visitors.
Thus, the national government has set up what animal rights groups are calling "death camps" for hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs, in an attempt to clean up the streets for visitors. They have engaged in several land grants and enforced evictions of privately owned land in preparation for the games.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 33
jimmy
posted 3/12/08 @ 8:25 AM MST
you are silly. If you are going to use history to justify who wins the bid for the Olympics lets get a few things straight,
1. Nagano games were in Japan. (Continued…)
Chris O
posted 3/12/08 @ 12:27 PM MST
Wow, only like seven years too late buddy. Why does every single Collegian columnist write only stuff they know from second or third or even fourth hand knowledge. (Continued…)
Student
posted 3/12/08 @ 3:19 PM MST
Agreed with Chris.
The Collegian is insane - Iran should get nuclear power but China shouldn't host the Summer Olympics...
Too late and start writing articles the campus community cares about, or at least ones that are more timely. (Continued…)
Jessica Gu
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:54 PM MST
When I looked at the article "China should not host 2008 Olympics", the first thing coming to my mind is " are you kidding me, Phil?"
Phil Elder compared the Adolf Hitler's government with current Chinese government, which absolutely frustrated me. (Continued…)
Tony
posted 3/12/08 @ 9:53 PM MST
I was shocked to see this piece of crap on Collegian. Obviously, the writer Phil Elder is a no-brainer who has read lots of negative reports about China and then makes up this 'article'. (Continued…)
???
posted 3/13/08 @ 10:17 AM MST
Of all the articles/statements opposing China hosting the summer Olympics, this one stood out as one of most appalling, ignorant, and disturbing.
I was astonished at the comparison of China holding the Olympics in 2008 with the Nazi German doing it 70 years ago. (Continued…)
An Alumni
posted 3/13/08 @ 1:01 PM MST
Phil's article is really a good example of arrogance and ignorance. This is also a good example for the action of Smearing China's Image. I feel very disappointed that Collegian published such type senseless article. (Continued…)
DamnYouJenkins
posted 3/13/08 @ 3:24 PM MST
To be honest, I do not think Beijing should be hosting the games, but their organizing committee promised that changes would come and some have. There are certainly less sanctions on outside media, however, that does not make up for the fact that China is way behind on Human Rights issues. (Continued…)
Jerry Wang
posted 3/13/08 @ 8:56 PM MST
As a Chinese American who lived in US for more than 20 years, I have always appreciated the culture of diversity in this country. When I see local people coming to various minority activities and festivals, my feelings about American people been warm, friendly, and open minded get stronger and stronger every time. (Continued…)
Jenny
posted 3/14/08 @ 7:11 AM MST
I agree with Jerry. This is the first time I am so disppointed about the American people. During the two years I spend in Fort Collins. I always thinks people here are nice and friendly. (Continued…)
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