In the changing world of today, sports to a certain degree are able to bring a country to a certain standing. By being able to host, the country can show to the world what it is all about and by being able to garner the greatest number medals shows how superior it is.

The Dilemma

Then again if let’s say you feel strongly against something like what’s I’ll explore in the sub heading “China Or Tibet?” Would you compete if you feel; the host country has done some wrong? Would you withdraw, to protest what is going on or would you not jeopardize your career, your dream to win the most prestigious medal in the sporting world? Then again, in the spirit of the games, you should compete to show how the world unites for sportsmanship?

Similarly for The National Olympic Committee of a country, if the country competes then it shows a support for the hosts’ policies. If boycott the games it shows that the nation condemns and protests the act of the country and the country might even mend its ways. A big powerful country like the US might be big enough to shape the coming events with a boycott. However, why should sports and politics mix? The games are about sports, not politics.

As The Olympic Games is probably the most well known sporting event, I will use it as an example. This is as the event is so well known, what happens before/during/after the games are made known to the world irregardless of its importance and seriousness.

The Olympic Games

The greatest festival of sports is probably the Olympic Games. The upcoming games in Beijing comprises of 302 events in 28 different sports. It is probably the only event which unites the world in a variety of sports.

In the Past: Hitler’s Olympics

The 1936 Olympics was held in Berlin. Hitler used the Olympics as a centre stage for his Nazi propaganda to show the world what Nazi Germany is all about. He also promoted the supremacy of the “Aryan Race” forbidding those who are not of the race to not participate in the Olympics.

The Americans planned to boycott the Olympics due to its political standing. Later on the head of the German Olympic Committee arrived in the United States on a goodwill tour. They said that without the without the Americans, the Olympics would not be the Olympics. Sure enough soon, Germany invited 2 of its most successful Jewish athletes who are residing overseas, Helene Mayer, fencer and Gretel Bergmann, high jumper to be part of Germany’s Olympic team.

The Americans are in a dilemma now. If they were to participate in the games, it might seem as though they are supporting the Nazi Regime. However, many felt that the games should be about a contest of athletes instead a country’s political agenda.

Amongst the debate raised is that Jews are not mistreated at the games and that they should send a team there as to not undermine the Olympics foundation especially if a nations are allowed to restrict participation by class, creed or race. Some protested that for Nazi Germany to stop its massacres and mass murders, the games should be boycotted as the games were used as a platform for Hitler’s propaganda.

Eventually, it was decided and America sent a team over to Germany to compete with the approval of President Roosevelt who wanted to keep America being without outside influence intact.

However, some American-Jewish competitors decided not to participate in the games and decided to boycott the Olympics.

In the modern context: For China Big Problem

The Beijing Olympics have become a target for their human rights issues in Tibet and China. Basically, Tibet wants out of China. Tibet claims that is has always been an independent nation but China has always claimed it to be part of their territory. As such both sides are not at ease on the issue and China has sent troops to Tibet and even exiled their former government. The people want to be independent but as China is controlling them, they cannot. As the people start to get unhappy, protests start to fill the streets and China is increasing it’s military presence due to this protests.

Another issue sparked is that many people are displaced due to the building of new Olympic Games venue and upgrading.

As such many nations are considering boycotting the Olympics. An Australian runner for example decided not to participate in the Olympic torch relay because of China’s

role over Tibet.

The big issue again is whether the games should be boycotted.

An Athlete’s View

As an athlete I feel that even with the human right issues I will take a stand and keep politics out of sports. Athletes should keep out of politician’s way and also athletes shouldn’t be used as a politician’s puppet. Through the spirit of the games, nations should compete as form of goodwill and in the spirit of sports.

Sports are probably the only way countries can compete equally and fairly while maintaining a healthy competition. Whether you win or lose, there are no hard feelings at the end of a game between nations if the spirit of sportsmanship is held to. As such even with political turmoil, countries still should continue to compete in sports.

Labels: ED, politics

yaz [ 11:03 PM ]

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