sterbo

In 1980 then President Carter mandated that the U.S. boycott the summer Olympic Games in protest over the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we hear an increasing drumbeat lobbing President Bush to boycott the upcoming games in Beijing, China.

I thought it was wrong for Carter to use the Olympics as a venue to protest an action by another nation and I think it would be wrong us to do it again.
Our great athletes deserve better than to be made political pawns when there are other, much more appropriate means of protest and/or ostracism at our disposal...

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pkster8235

I read today in the paper that Canada was thinking about boycotting the Olympics because of human rights issues in China. It's too bad that the athletes would suffer.

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We treat mishaps like sinking ships and
I know that I don't want to be out to drift..

racin36er

Absolutely couldn't agree more. I think any country using things like this as a tool in a politican agenda is rediculious. Any country boycotting for political reasons has none of my respect.

On the other hand, however, if there is case of violence, and a serious risk to athletes, then I agree. In this case in China, some of the Tibet protests have gotten rather violent; be it the Chinese police, or violent protesters -- i don't care. whoever is to blame, its been violent. if there is risk to the athletes, then i would support a boycott... then its justified. but i would rather see the athletes have the option of going or not, rather than being forced out of it completely.

timiscute

I agree that its wrong to use the olympics to protest something politcally but if it would help stop a country from making huge human rights violations it can't be all that bad right? I mean I see that it sucks to be an athlete training your whole life for the olympics and one year you make it and then your country's boycotting, but what's more important human lives or some games.

~Tim

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sterbo

If it would really change the tide then I would agree but I don't see that as the case.
It really is no more than posturing.
You're absolutely right there. The thing is, in my opinion, boycotting these games will have no more effect on the situation than our boycott of the 1980 Games, specific to the Soviet's transgressions.

And another factor to consider is the not insignificant positive influence of having some of the world's greatest athletes congregating together in China. That too would bring the Chinese people to the forefront of the world community...

.

MasterCylinder

These protests are going to have NO effect on the chinese other than to piss them off. You're not going to free the Tibetans. The chinese really don't give a damn about the Tibetan people. Its always been about the land. Now here is whats going to happen if these protests keep up. The Chinese will get really ticked. The games, for the most part, will go on. Now comes the payback. The press has gone home to go find the "next big story". The chinese secret police are now more numerous than the Tibetans in Tibet and the ass kicking begins in full force.

chadwick

if we dont boycott the olympics than the same thing will happen as it always has, when the games are china wil shut down its boarders and erradicate any and all oposition, this actualy happened last year, their was a small village in china that decided to throw a rebellion, well it work for a week then all news crews were forced out and the boarders were shut for 24 hours along with the phone lines and all nongoverment controlled stations were blocked from the air, the next day the rebellion was over, most of my details comes from the early news reports and the facts that my dads bussiness partner told us, he was in hong kong at the time

pretty much that means if tibet is not freed befor the olympics are over than it will just go back to normal after a week, and dont worry about getting any footage of the massacre that will happen china's hold over the people is exceptionaly strong, most people living more than 20 miles from hong kong are under the impression that they were the first people to land on the moon

the only chance that they have is if the US, canada, most of europe and the majority of south america along with atleast 30% of africa decides not to join the olympics, even this probably wont work but its the best shot they have, and its a long one at that, hell the chinese are so out of control at the moment that they might just take it right back after the games and do the massacre than, yes they are that out of their heads beliving they are the best...if you remeber Tiananmen Square were they billed the families of the slaughtered for the bullets they used to kill them

in my opinion something needs to be done about china, saddam was out of his mind but he had no real power and china is worse yet they go unregulated, im not saying war but something must be done befor they are the world super power and have nobody to keep them in check

glorious

When the Olympics were created, they were intended to transcend politics.I feel like this should still be the case. There have been a lot of boycotts since the modern games were created and most have accomplished absolutely nothing. If the US decided to boycott, the elite athletes that represent our country will not be participating.

Don't get me wrong I know what's going on over there is wrong. But, is boycotting the Olympic Games the answer? I don't think so....

Dark

The Olympics have always been a symbol of uniting together. In the middle of war, in the middle of poverty, in the middle of crisis, the Olympic games was always a trademark of nations putting their differences to the side and hosting the greatest event the world has, with the greatest athletes the world has.
Protesting the Olympics games because of your own political agenda is simply foolish and childish. If that thought even comes into your head you're completely taking away from the meaning of the games.

I am not a big Olympics fan at all. Kinda bores the shit outta me except basketball .
But god dammit, I've always loved that all these opposing countries could come together for such a monumental event. You can't take away from the spirit of the games with your differences.

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Dear Ndugu,

Jake

The Olympics belong to the world, not to a nation, and not to any political agenda.

Athletes have been training a while for 2008, and in many sports, and for many athletes, there won't be a 2012. They'll be too old.

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