As I’ve said, I am a huge fan of the idea of the Olympic games. Their implementation in recent decades, however has left much to be desired.
The truth is that the Olympic organization is corrupt. Corrupt in the sense that it has become more a money making venture than a celebration of amateur athletics. Just remind yourself who takes part in the winter hockey events.
The most glaring example of the organization’s corruption is in the awarding of this years’ to China.
For those of you (and them) who thought that awarding the games to a brutal dictatorship would help change that system, well the proof is in the pudding. So to speak.
There is no doubt that things are changing in China. But they are, to me, superficial. Yes, capitalism is strong, and free enterprise stronger. When I travelled with a Chinese couple for a few days, they had all the trappings of western luxury, including digital cameras, iPods, and a Sony PSP. There’s lots of that kind of thing being spread around, in insofar as that represents change, then yes, there is change.
But all of those trappings and a lucky lottery ticket will buy you a meaningful vote.
The point is this: the IOC is no more concerned with human rights and the spirit of the games than is China. For the latter, it’s a chance to grow some legitimacy. For the former, business as usual.
The Olympic movement, as presided over by Jacques Rogge has become a joke.
There have been three organized boycotts of Olympics int he past. The first was by African countries of the 1976 games in Montreal, in protest of New Zealand who didn’t properly boycott South Africa in the rugby world. The 1980 boycott of Moscow, and the 1984 of Los Angeles are better known.
I’m not sure that boycotts work. And besides, they hurt the athletes more than anyone else. If anyone should be punished (besides the bastard Rogge) it’s the Chinese. So, how best to do that?
I think several things can be done. First, there should be very very few western dignitaries in attendance. Either at the opening (or closing) ceremonies, or present at the events. Second, we should encourage our athletes to either not attend the opening ceremonies, or elsemake some sort of unified gesture in front of the Chinese audience that shows our displeasure with China’s treatment of Tibet.
I’m sure we could come up with something creative, no?
It’s either that, or take the games away from China.
(The Washington Post has a good article about this – IOC Needs to Step In Or Perhaps Move On. The IOC? Step up? I don’t think so.