I was just curious as to what everybody thought about everything happening with the Olympics this year.  From the torch bearers being beaten and needing guards to the possibility of countries boycotting if it is held in China at all.  Any views out there???

Hmmmm....it is dangerous to be to bold in these statement, but I will try to give my view anyway.


How can the athletic compete in the free spirit, when everything around it has gone big business and political?

I think both the commercial force (IOC) and the political force (diff countries and groups) exploit the Olympic for all it's worth and the athlete is their hostage.

But most of all, the one to blame is ourself....we are those who pay...we are those who have the real power..but we don't use it...since we want to be entertained..and since we act like sheep...they get away with it

Grandpa, you are so right.

The Olympics were started with no governmental interventions. It was supossed to be all about the athletes.
Over the last how many years, the governments have incepted.

I personally believe China is wrong in this instance. I also don't have all the details.

Media plays a big roll in this.

I, myself would bot-cot these olympics from what I know. But I also remeber the olympics are about the
athletes, not the "powers that be".

I'm torn inside.

Lots of love to all.

Karlene

I think its important and significant that the olympics have highlighted the plight of the tibetans.  I am sad that China has forgotten how it felt when it was invaded and held to ransom by foreigners many years ago and it chooses to do the same to a smaller lesser country in a time when we are supposed to be enlightened.

Politics is everywhere especially in sport.

We do not always (almost ever) get the true picture. We have always been taught as westerners to hate the Chinese. They are our enemy. Why . . . because they are an old culture that tends to keep their values and tradition as much as possible by keeping to themselves. They don't stick there nose in other peoples business and they don't support the tactics that our government uses in other countries in the name of Freedom and democracy. We claim to be in other countries to stamp out/prohibit communism and anything that goes against our values. The truth is it's all about $$$$. American's lost the sense of tradition and family values I think right around when JFK was assassinated. For me it meant don't trust anyone especially our own government. We would never think of the word 'conspiracy'. Here's a link that explains the 'outside' backing of the carefully orchestrated demonstrations to make the Chinese look bad at any cost. Even if it's not the truth.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/18/content_7999101.htm

I'm not saying that China is innocent but neither are we. We have no right whatsoever to tell other cultures, nations or peoples that they should live like us. Our government needs to focus and solve the serious problems we have at home. Yeah, we're a great example. GW is the laughing stock of the civilized world. I feel sorry for the next prez who inherits all the mistakes he has created. Do you really think we would be paying $4.+ a gallon for gas if we weren't in the Middle East? This is just the beginning.

Sure, let's punish the innocent athletes who have spent endless $$$ and years of training for the sake of politics and ego by boycotting the Olympics. That type of mentality defines who and what we are as a so called, 'Peacekeeping nation'. There should not be any connection between politics and international sporting competition.

Leave the athletes alone and let them get on with the games and solve the political discrepancies via diplomatic means. 'That's' acting as a 'Peacekeeping nation'. Not bullying.