Quote:
| Originally Posted by Scubee AFAIUI. it is traditional that the flame makes an appearance in all the olympic countries during the four years between games. |
Not true. Hitler was the first to do this in 1936.
"The idea of carrying a lit torch from the Temple of Hera in Greece was invented by Hitler in 1936 to suggest a link between the German people and fellow Aryans in southern Europe. It was revived as a political act by Sydney in 2000 with a regional tour symbolising Australia’s links with the Pacific rim of Asia. Athens staged a world tour in 2004 in honour of the Games returning to their original home." Source Quote:
| Originally Posted by Scubee it isn't about politics, or human rights, but about harmony, sportsmanship and taking part.
Sadly, the first overtakes the second. |
It is very much to do with politics. There is some sport, but that takes second place. The "Olympics" is a 4-year event for the host country (if not much longer), only the actual
games part takes 2 weeks.
I quite liked that article quoted above. I am particularly fond of the expression describing the IOC as:
"a self-perpetuating mafia" Quote:
| Originally Posted by Jay_Benson The boycott of sport in South Africa really had a big effect on the local population and led to the abandonment of aparteid. True it would be better still if business was not conducted with China. |
How long did that boycott take to work? I think we'll struggle to find any examples of truly effective boycotts.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by NotDeadYet Athletes do not get exemption from conscience or opinion because they are good at a sport. Look at Mohammed Ali or Jesse Owens. It's a shame more athletes can't show a fraction of the guts Ali showed.
We're told continually that they should be role models. I don't want my role models to keep their gobs shut because the people that hold the purse-strings tell them to. I was a kid when Ali was at his peak, the impression he left on me has been massive, one of the few people that I would hold in "hero" status. People like that are true greats, not the ones who go along with the whole dog and pony show with their heads in the sand. |
Very, very good points.
EDIT: apologies to al kennedy who spotted the 1936 thing first.