Olympics as Political Statement

bulletBuddha.jpgI’ve been following the Tibet protests with interest and especially now that they’re following the Olympic torch. One thing that I’ve noticed that China and it’s supporters are saying is that this about sports not politics. Essentially, they say this is not the time or place to discuss human rights.

It’s so incredibly hypocritical for China to say that the Olympics have nothing to do with politics. Does anyone really believe that China isn’t trying to show itself off as a world power with these Olympics? What they really mean to say is no one can use the Olympics for politics except them.

So I say, yes, the Olympics are sporting event AND they are a political event. To say they are merely a sporting event is simply wishful thinking. When sports teams are divided up by nation states, political entities, and then pitted against each other, how can than not be political?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 9:21 am and is filed under Civil Rights, Activism, Human Rights, Leadership, Protest, Awareness, Ethics, Politics. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Olympics as Political Statement”

  1. Sue Says:
    April 9th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    During the Summer Olympics in ‘68, a group of athletes formed the Olympic Project for Human Rights. The now-famous photo of American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists in protest of the lack of civil rights for Black Americans caused a huge stink at the time, but was well worth the sacrifice made by the two sprinters. Let’s hope the protests this year will raise awareness and result in more rights for the people of China and Tibet.

  2. Luke Lundemo Says:
    April 9th, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    I was in Mexico City before the 68 Olympics. The US had pressured Mexico to make sure everything went smoothly. They got the message. There was a great peasant movement lead by students at the University at that time. The Mexican government sent troops and tanks onto the campus and killed hundreds and disappeared thousands. I walked through the campus riddled with machine gun bullet holes. I met student survivors. They were clear that this attach was inspired by the US government. They made quite an impression on me. And all week, the CSN&Y song - Four Dead in Ohio keeps going through my mind. What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground? How can you run when you know?
    I remember the map I had of Mexico City then. The city was surrounded by these large green areas. In most maps, you would think this represented national forests or parks. I went to this green area. It was miles and miles of slums. This is where millions of peasants lived. Crowded. Open sewers. No good water. Kids scavenging dumps for something edible. How can you run when you know?

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