“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles”
The time has come for me to write about politics. I’m not a political interested person: it’s mostly depressing to know what is happening in my country at the political level (and now more than ever) and when I hear about what goes on elsewhere in the world, it does not get any better. So it really pisses me of that I have to talk about them now.
Maybe that is why I get so angry about this whole Olympic Games Boycott and China/Tibet human rights violation scandal. It makes me mad that these political discussions have been the main topics in the media during this pre-Olympic time, which should be full with inspiring athletic performances and statements in preparation for the most important sports celebration. It makes me mad, that when I talk about some athletes trying to qualify to compete in China, the first comments I are about the possible boycott. It makes me mad, that the sports and the athletes are only in the background of what is considered their main spectacle.
Yes, I’m one of the naive persons, who believes in the Olympic spirit, lying above the political and social problems of the world.
Suddenly the Chinese regime violating human rights is the main media topic and the favorite issue to discuss and protest about. Of course I understand the Tibetans are taking advantage of the situation to talk about their cause. And it’s OK if the world has been enlightened and now wants to help/support the poor people, whose human rights are being violated: the task of raising awareness has been achieved. Now –please- be so kind and find another way to help these people, because attacking the athletes running with the Olympic torch is certainly not the optimal way to support the Tibet “pacifists”.
Politicians have found their own way and are starting to say they are not attending the opening ceremony of the Games to backup the “human rights” movements. Those are also news surrounding the Olympic games. But seriously, who cares about what politicians do in respect to the opening ceremony? What a lame an easy thing to do is to express their “humanity” and “correctness” in that way? The opening ceremony is not meant to be a spectacle for politics to get together; it’s meant to be the ceremony to announce the beginning of the Olympic games and again it is directed to the athletes and to the rest of us individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. And I’m not asking for politicians to be inspired as well nor to understand and respect the Olympic spirit (although it would certainly be a better way to show their humanity); I’m just asking they let the athletes and the rest of us Olympic fans enjoy this time of expectation.
If the athletes decide not to attend the ceremony or the whole event because they consider that the political and social issues are more important than their training and preparation, it’s up to them. But really, how many of these athletes had heard about the problems in China and Tibet before? How many are saying they will show their support and their sympathy to Tibet just because it makes them better persons in the eyes of this media and political scandal?
It is expected from them, as country representatives, to be role models for society and show their support for human rights. I agree on the fact that athletes should be role models, but the fact that they can get together in harmony, respecting the fundamental values of fair play and healthy competition despite political, social and cultural differences, is what society should be looking up to.
I’m not an athlete, not anymore. But having grown up swimming and training surrounded with sports culture, I praise the Olympics Games.
So please, let me enjoy this time; let the athletes train without having to worry about what they should say about the political context of the Games and, last but not least, let the Chinese people show us how they can host this beautiful celebration magnificently.
[First fundamental principle of Olympism]
The time has come for me to write about politics. I’m not a political interested person: it’s mostly depressing to know what is happening in my country at the political level (and now more than ever) and when I hear about what goes on elsewhere in the world, it does not get any better. So it really pisses me of that I have to talk about them now.
Maybe that is why I get so angry about this whole Olympic Games Boycott and China/Tibet human rights violation scandal. It makes me mad that these political discussions have been the main topics in the media during this pre-Olympic time, which should be full with inspiring athletic performances and statements in preparation for the most important sports celebration. It makes me mad, that when I talk about some athletes trying to qualify to compete in China, the first comments I are about the possible boycott. It makes me mad, that the sports and the athletes are only in the background of what is considered their main spectacle.
Yes, I’m one of the naive persons, who believes in the Olympic spirit, lying above the political and social problems of the world.
Suddenly the Chinese regime violating human rights is the main media topic and the favorite issue to discuss and protest about. Of course I understand the Tibetans are taking advantage of the situation to talk about their cause. And it’s OK if the world has been enlightened and now wants to help/support the poor people, whose human rights are being violated: the task of raising awareness has been achieved. Now –please- be so kind and find another way to help these people, because attacking the athletes running with the Olympic torch is certainly not the optimal way to support the Tibet “pacifists”.
Politicians have found their own way and are starting to say they are not attending the opening ceremony of the Games to backup the “human rights” movements. Those are also news surrounding the Olympic games. But seriously, who cares about what politicians do in respect to the opening ceremony? What a lame an easy thing to do is to express their “humanity” and “correctness” in that way? The opening ceremony is not meant to be a spectacle for politics to get together; it’s meant to be the ceremony to announce the beginning of the Olympic games and again it is directed to the athletes and to the rest of us individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. And I’m not asking for politicians to be inspired as well nor to understand and respect the Olympic spirit (although it would certainly be a better way to show their humanity); I’m just asking they let the athletes and the rest of us Olympic fans enjoy this time of expectation.
If the athletes decide not to attend the ceremony or the whole event because they consider that the political and social issues are more important than their training and preparation, it’s up to them. But really, how many of these athletes had heard about the problems in China and Tibet before? How many are saying they will show their support and their sympathy to Tibet just because it makes them better persons in the eyes of this media and political scandal?
It is expected from them, as country representatives, to be role models for society and show their support for human rights. I agree on the fact that athletes should be role models, but the fact that they can get together in harmony, respecting the fundamental values of fair play and healthy competition despite political, social and cultural differences, is what society should be looking up to.
I’m not an athlete, not anymore. But having grown up swimming and training surrounded with sports culture, I praise the Olympics Games.
So please, let me enjoy this time; let the athletes train without having to worry about what they should say about the political context of the Games and, last but not least, let the Chinese people show us how they can host this beautiful celebration magnificently.
1 comment:
It's really a shame what the media has done in the last weeks. Let's get the games back!
PS: remember that Vorfreude is not the only joy...
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