China Olympics

[Ghoulish Delight]

So the French have succeeded where others have failed. The last leg of the Olympic torch's relay through Paris has been canceled due to increasing protests and attempts to snuff it out.

I'm of the opinion that the Olympics should be boycotted. It would certainly suck for many athletes, however, if the Olympics are going to maintain their modern goal of promoting world unity and improved international behavior, then China needs to be sent a message. Some have argued that, because the average Chinese citizen is completely in the dark about what their government is doing, a boycott would simply look to them like a power grab by the US. But the reality is, the average Chinese citizen is going to be fed information from their government that we're evil no matter what we do, so I don't find that a compelling argument.

To my mind, China has failed to uphold their end of the bargain. They are not using the Olympics as a stage to become better world citizens and demonstrate their strides towards becoming a modern, humanitarian government as, for a counter example, Korea did in 1988. They instead have taken a blatant step backwards from where they were (or appeared to be) when they were awarded the games. I can't imagine a more clear case for a boycott.

[innerSpaceman]

It didn't work out so well for the Moscow Olympics. The only big losers were the atheletes.


I much prefer the idea of boycotting just the Opening Ceremonies. Message sent. Years of athletes' lives and hopes and sweat redeemed.

[Strangler Lewis]

I think an Olympic boycott would be meaningless. This Olympics will be a train wreck that should be embraced and widely covered. Watching marathoners keel over in the pollution will be a boon for environmentalism.

[Alex]

I think an Olympics boycott would be hypocritical as world politics now stand.

Make it part of a larger package of official disapproval and punishment and then I'd be more open to it.

If China is an evil that needs to be ostracized, start by telling Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Google, and Ford that they can't go to China. Telling a 14-year-old rhythmic gymnast that she can't go seems a silly place to start.

But if any athletes/coaches/etc. decide that they can't, in good conscience attend then they have my respect.

For now, Lani and I have stopped planning a 2009 China trip we had in the penciled in stages.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yes, I surely would prefer more direct and meaningful political sanctions against China, but looking at it independent of other decisions I just can't help but think it's wrong to lend them the credibility of the world stage.

Boycotting the opening ceremonies strikes me as a particularly empty gesture.

[innerSpaceman]

How is that less empty than boycotting the whole thing?

At least with the Opening Ceremony, which is likey watched by ALL television viewers of the Olymics and which is the main propaganda tool of the Chinese for the whole shibang, it will be noticed and widely mentioned that the U.S. (and hopefully other athletes) are boycotting to express their disapproval of the host nation. Wow, for a change, the live commentary can cease describing the live visuals for the blind TV watchers, and actually have someting to say of some substance.

Whereas with individual events, viewed by less people, there will be actual sporting events going on ... with little option or incentive to mention any boycott by atheletes of a particular nation.

[scaeagles]

I have gone back and forth on the issue, feeling strongly about boycotting and then feeling for the athletes that have trained for years to compete.

I was sickened when China was awarded them in the first place. I have even read that China has forced some athletes to sign agreements that they will not criticize the government or policies of China while at the Olympics as a condition to be allowed into the country.

The real problem was them being awarded to China. Right now I'm against a complete boycott, but in 10 minutes it might think completely differently.

[CoasterMatt]

Just put all the athletes in the red robes of Tibetan monks for the opening ceremonies....

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I think an Olympic boycott would be meaningless. This Olympics will be a train wreck that should be embraced and widely covered. Watching marathoners keel over in the pollution will be a boon for environmentalism.

For once we are in complete agreement.

Speaking of enviromentalism......shouldn't we ask ourselves how an Olympic Boycott will affect future Climate Change treaties with China? Because lets face it....if CC is for real(don't get excited, I said "if") and if there is any chance we can stop it China will have to be a part of it. Embarrasing them with a Boycott certainly will not make them more sympathetic to Western Causes.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

How is that less empty than boycotting the whole thing?

Because anything short of a full boycott means continuing to engage with their government, legitimizing it on the world stage. To me, it's not about who is watching or what a television audience thinks. It's about our government not engaging with a corrupt murderous government.

I will say that, like scaeagles, I have oscillated and it's only within the past couple of days that I've felt my position galvanize in favor of a full boycott. I do feel for the athletes, but I'd like to think that, were I to have any actual athletic talent and be in the position to be an Olympic athlete, that I'd recognize that sometimes making a statement serious wrongs should take precedent over my individual accomplishment.

Of course, when I've fallen on the opposite side of the argument, I've also realized that I might welcome the opportunity to individually make the decision to not participate, rather than have that decision forced on me, but I keep coming back to the reality that, since the Chinese government isn't exactly allowing the realities conversation to reach the ears of the average Chinese citizen, the only real actions of value can be made by political bodies such us Olympic committees and other US government representatives.