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| Originally Posted by Ding Dang Doo Not sure if that is fair on the athletes. Many of them have spent the best parts of their lives and made many personal sacrifices to be able to show the world how good they are at their chosen discipline.
They didn't choose the venue, nor would their protest make any difference to the Games (apart from making it less competitive).
This I'm afraid, is one for the governments to sort out.
Pete |
I understand what you're saying, and I would have sympathy for any athlete who unilaterally chose not to go.
However, I feel that this isn't really an issue for governments. IF it were, it should be evaluated like all foreign policy decisions - on the basis of national interest - and on that basis the argument that lots of jobs depend on good UK-China relations is a strong one.
The Olympics, unlike every other major international "sporting" event, is extremely heavily politicised. It is always a strong expression of national pride. It is a chance for the host nation to "show off" its culture and achievements to the rest of the world. China has an awful human rights record - even leaving Tibet aside. In this respect, nothing has really changed since
Tiananmen Square. Censorship is routine, dissidents are arrested and tortured. I will have a great deal of respect for athletes who choose not to go.
And no, it's not fair on the athletes. Blame the corrupt fools at the IOC for this one.