Will You Boycott the 2008 Olympics in Beijing?
There’s been a storm of controversy over the 2008 Olympics in China. The host country’s oppression of Tibet and involvement in the Sudanese-led genocide in Darfur are among the most prominent reasons for protest, but not the only ones. Activists around the world are calling for a boycott of the games in Beijing, and the movement has gained significant support from world leaders, especially in the European Union. In the United States, top presidential hopefuls are urging the American president to boycott the opening ceremonies. At the moment, however, it seems unlikely.
On the other hand, some argue that the Olympics should not be treated as a political forum. They say the athletes would suffer unfairly from a national boycott, missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity. Still others contend that the people of China deserve a chance to showcase their country’s progress.
Though the average citizen has relatively little influence on the matter, a grassroots movement is underway asking people to simply boycott the television coverage of the summer games. For cyclists—whose favorite sport gets limited attention from the mainstream media—the opportunity to watch Olympic road, track, mountain bike and BMX competition is a rare and coveted treat. So in the interest of discussion, we pose the question:
April 14th, 2008 at 8:06 am
I for one will be boycotting all coverage of the Olympics, attempting to boycott the companies that are supporting the Olympics and urging my government to at least boycott the opening ceremonies.
While I feel for the athletes and would like very much to support them, the fact is that China is using the games for its own political propaganda purposes. China also made commitments when it was awarded the games to improve its human rights record. Last week when the IOC asked China to live up to those promises, China responded by telling the IOC to stop meddling in their internal affairs.
As for boycotts by the athletes, I leave that up to them. If they chose to compete, I understand and will support that decision, but I won’t be watching on TV.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Hell Yeah…
I think its pathetic that Americans are letting chinese jack booted thugs beat up americans on OUR OWN SOIL for one!!!
http://www.infowars.com/?p=1440
And aside from that, the slaughter of the people of Tibet, harvesting organs from dissidents and people who disagree with the government with their mobile execution vans, using their ground up remains for rich european’s skin cream and displaying the some filleted remains in the Carnegie Science Center (among other places) is enough to say any SANE PERSON should not support this!
April 14th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Not so much boycotting. More apathy. the last time i was really excited by the olympics i was 6 years old. it got slightly commercialized.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
This is a tough one. I try to not confuse a people for their government (any people, any government), but the Chinese government is about as subtle as softball in a mine field. I supose we’ll have to watch it for the train wreck that it will be, but I know I’m gong to end up dizzy from shaking my head so much.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
umm…i wouldnt go soley based on the air quality. it blows. (no pun intended) no really, it sucks. that and evicting people from their homes to build the stadiums, and no compensation given. total bs, if you ask me.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
what, and miss a chance to watch modern medical science at work? the olympics are the pinnacle of anti-aging technologies and the future of lifestyle enhancement. I plan on spritzing myself with hgh infused facial elixirs and tivo-ing the whole thing from the comfort of my oxygen tent.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Should I as a Canadian boycott anything that is American? I don’t think the U.S. should have invaded Iraq. I still don’t believe people of color are treated equally in the U.S. Should other countries boycott the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada because we are in Afganistan? We still treat our native Indian people like crap.
Maybe we should take a look inward before we get on our high horse and start pointing fingers.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Should I, as an American, boycott all things Canadian, as they are so much better than me? I think not. I intend to be glued to the tube in 2010 for the grace and beauty of British Columbia.
And I’ll watch China this year for the train wreck that it is.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Why don’t you guys come to China to see what did really happen here. China is a beautiful country, I’m living in China now.
China is a developing country, and don’t be afraid of that. I know the things happened in Tibet, and I feel very sorry about that too. But Tibet is a part of China since hundreds years ago.
The US and some western countries want Tibet be seperated from China, and began to trick the Tibetian into make movement, so then, conflict started. The conflict is fierce, both side has death. The only one who doesn’t get hurt is the US, who started it indeed.
But all I want to say, the whole thing is a politician’s plot, NOT we common people want. We, Chinese people, are very honoured to host the Olympics, and we take many many many afforts for that. Please, don’t let the politician fool us around, come to China, and see the truth by yourself.
April 21st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Ok here it is in a nutshell. People are unsure of weather they want to watch the Olympics (or participate). Personally i think the Olympics are a showcase for each nations athletic abilities. So let them compete. Yeah the air quality blow ass, and its the athletes choice if they want to compete in those conditions.
About all this political stuff. Sure the Chinese gov could be being mean to the Tibet people, but this isn’t about the gov. There are plenty of good people in all the countrys. Yeah every gov has screwed up ( even America’s ), But has any other Olympic game been canceled or boycott? NO . so i dont know what the loosers boycotting the games have up your ass but im gonna be watching 24 7.
PEACE
April 24th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hey unknown,
‘56, ‘72. ‘76, ‘80, ‘84.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I had planned to boycott the Beijing Olympics as soon as they were announced, and I have not watched the news, read the city or national papers, nor watched any Olympic events on television. This does not mean that I do not support the athletes, for I wish them the best. China’s human rights violations, poor work conditions, communist regime, and the fact that they bulldozed people’s homes and culled animals in order to “prepare” for the Olympics……upsets me. Also, I keep seeing images of those victims and victims’ families of the May 12 earthquake. 240,000 people were killed, and the Chinese government has been more concerned with building for the Olympics than in giving aid to rebuild to the 15 million people in the affected earthquake area. Shameful!