Spring Break
Olympic boycott could squander political opportunities
Joseph Haynie
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
Although the Olympics are about the athletes and the spirit of competition, it will be hard to ignore the politics during the upcoming summer games.
Politics have, fortunately, taken center stage as the initial phases of the games have begun.
At the torch lighting ceremony earlier this week in Greece, several individuals interrupted the proceedings to protest the Chinese government's brutal policy toward Tibet. A prelude to the protests that will assuredly follow the torch on its way to Beijing, the recent actions, both in Greece and in Tibet, have brought up the topic of boycotting the summer games.
Notwithstanding the recent turmoil in Tibet and the support of the Sudanese government, there are plenty of reasons to boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing.
China routinely and systematically oppresses political dissidents and journalists. With 16 of the top 20 most polluted cities located in the People's Republic, China does not exactly have eco-friendly policies.
However, boycotting the games is not the solution to these and many other problems in China.
As reported by CNN, President Bush, in reaffirming his commitment to attend the games, told China's president, Hu Jintao, that the games would "shine a spotlight on all things Chinese."
China's international exposure is contingent upon the number of individuals watching the games from overseas. If countries boycott, a majority of the population will more than likely not watch as their country men and women will not be participating. Therefore, the human rights violations and other issues plaguing China will not be highlighted.
Boycotting the games only limits the number of avenues of protest.
Over the years, the Olympics have been the stage on which more has been done and said than not participating could ever do or say.
In 1936, Nazi Germany hosted the summer games. With tensions building in Europe, and the suspect politics of the Nazi regime gaining more concern in the international community, the American Olympic Committee favored the idea of a boycott, fearing that participation would be a demonstration of support for the regime and its policies.
Politics have, fortunately, taken center stage as the initial phases of the games have begun.
At the torch lighting ceremony earlier this week in Greece, several individuals interrupted the proceedings to protest the Chinese government's brutal policy toward Tibet. A prelude to the protests that will assuredly follow the torch on its way to Beijing, the recent actions, both in Greece and in Tibet, have brought up the topic of boycotting the summer games.
Notwithstanding the recent turmoil in Tibet and the support of the Sudanese government, there are plenty of reasons to boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing.
China routinely and systematically oppresses political dissidents and journalists. With 16 of the top 20 most polluted cities located in the People's Republic, China does not exactly have eco-friendly policies.
However, boycotting the games is not the solution to these and many other problems in China.
As reported by CNN, President Bush, in reaffirming his commitment to attend the games, told China's president, Hu Jintao, that the games would "shine a spotlight on all things Chinese."
China's international exposure is contingent upon the number of individuals watching the games from overseas. If countries boycott, a majority of the population will more than likely not watch as their country men and women will not be participating. Therefore, the human rights violations and other issues plaguing China will not be highlighted.
Boycotting the games only limits the number of avenues of protest.
Over the years, the Olympics have been the stage on which more has been done and said than not participating could ever do or say.
In 1936, Nazi Germany hosted the summer games. With tensions building in Europe, and the suspect politics of the Nazi regime gaining more concern in the international community, the American Olympic Committee favored the idea of a boycott, fearing that participation would be a demonstration of support for the regime and its policies.
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