Another reason to boycott the 2008 Olympic Games

It's a few weeks old but this article highlights just how much is wrong with China holding the Olympic games.

From the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/sports/olympics/21athlete.html?pagewanted=2&_r=3)

Right, it's old. They did an interview of Chinese atheltes a very good while ago and they said all this. Still see no reason to boycott the games. Just let them be.

Unless people are going to be productive and have reason to boycott then what's the point? Just don't watch and there ya go. Other countries are other countries.

Just let the Olympics be. Boycotting them is counter - productive to the spirit of the games.

I am sure EVERY country on earth could find a reason to boycott EVERY Olympic games event if they wanted to, and then where would we be?

Th Olympics are a high profile step towards greater international cooperation which is important for all mankind.

Personally, I do not give a hoot about the nationality of the winners; and the way nations count their medals and gloat over victories is disgusting. Celebrate the individual winners, and not their nationality!!

Just let the Olympics be. Boycotting them is counter - productive to the spirit of the games.

I am sure EVERY country on earth could find a reason to boycott EVERY Olympic games event if they wanted to, and then where would we be?

Th Olympics are a high profile step towards greater international cooperation which is important for all mankind.

Personally, I do not give a hoot about the nationality of the winners; and the way nations count their medals and gloat over victories is disgusting. Celebrate the individual winners, and not their nationality!!
This event should be about the athletes, sportsmanship, and the national pride of the participants (and their fans). The problems of any individual country are not a reason to boycott these games, an event designed for peaceful competition between nations.

But don't you see an issue with China even getting the games in the first place?
That is the thing that I don't agree with.
Yes the games are still about the athletes and their performances but when it's against this sort of backdrop, don't you think something has to be done/said?

The long standing argument has always been that China hasn't even made steps to begin dealing with their problems so why were they awarded with the hosting of the games? It isn't just because China has issues that is the problem; it is that they were even considered that is part of the problem.

Awarded? W/e...why is Utah Awarded? :rolleyes:

Germany had them around WWII. It happens. Once again, you can always find something wrong with any country and ask, "how come they got them!?"

Let'em be and root for your team/country

so are you saying that it doesn't matter, that it shouldn't matter or that you simply don't care?

D, as usual. All of thee above. It doesn't matter because, well why should it? Who's opinion is yours to validate as the only and most important? It shouln't matter in the sense of perspective. Just root for who you want to win and let it be.

From a zealous person then yes, everyone is wrong, they are wrong, and gosh darn it they need to not host the Olympics while, according to some Americans, Bush is an idiot making America a worl police and actually terrorizes more than helps countries. :rolleyes:

I don't care because what the heck is boycotting going to do besides punish me because I refuse to watch the events I like. Plus, seriously, what woul it do? Bringing me back the fact it doesn't matter. It's a whole circle of life kinda thing.

Yes China is crazy and they have issues but so do a lot of other places including America where we let guys have several wifes but can't allow a couple of homosexuals to get married. OPPRESSION!!!

The 1980 boycott of the Moscow games did absolutely nothing towards getting the Soviets out of Afghanistan. All it did was shatter the dreams of several hundred Olympic atheletes who spent most of their childhood training for their events. Those kids trained 10 hours a day...they sacrificed friends, fun, and having a normal life because they had dreams of being an Olympian. They were the only ones who suffered because of that boycott. The Soviets had their games, and because of lack of participation from competetive countries, the Soviets took home more gold medals than they should have.

and the point is still the same and still for both the past soviet games and the up and coming china games; they shouldn't be hosting it.

The Olympics are supposed to represent something. At its simplest it is about being the best a person can be in whatever they do. It is about the celebration of human endevours and achievements. Giving it to a country that doesn't deserve it should not happen according to Olympic ideals.

"Building a Peaceful and Better World Through Sport and the Olympic Ideal"

Does China really qualify?

Does America with all the cheating atheletes? Gosh this is so pointless. You're too blinded to realize that evil/sin/bad exists everywhere so who is suppose to be right here? Right now apparently the world is so screwed and bad off the Olympics shouldn't exist except in Bragelina 's backyard. I'm sure it's almost big enough. :rolleyes:

And where did I deny that everywhere has bad?

I am talking purely about the hosting of the games, not whether of not it is country that does bad things.
Is China more fitting than any of the other bidders at the time?
Why not Canada or Japan or France?

If you are to call me blind, then I can only say the same about you who cannot see the difference between the things that China does and the things that other countries do. For a start, this discussion probably would not even have the chance to take place openly. Does a country that has questionable human rights,no free press, massively corrupt government etc etc fit the bill along the lines of
"Building a Peaceful and Better World".

The only reason I can see for them being awarded the games is because of the ever increasing economic power and as far as I can remember, that isn't part of the Olympic selection criteria.

See, you still don't get it though. Because we're a lesser of two evils so-to-speak that makes it alright for us to host it but not them? You say you don't deny everywhere is ba but taking this from a religious point of view and not human law, sin is sin. I know we as human beings have misdemeanors and felonies etc, but never the less a bad deed is a bad deed, especially basing on your criteria. Maybe China is just more public about their deeds.

The simply idea of this is that you say China is bad because of what they do. We may or may not equally be as bad but because it's not so public, we're allowed to host the games.

Your arguement has no solid base of truth or perspective other than simply trying to turn something around. I'm blind? How's that even make sense? I never said "Hail China" I just said your argument that China is bad and everywhere else is squeky clean like Heaven's streets is absurd an choosing a lesser of two evils once again makes no sense, which was your comeback now.

Make up your bad. Either we're all bad and the world doesn't deserve the Olympics therefore no choosing the lesser of two evils or China is Hell and everywhere reigns high above being supreme beings. Which is it?

Also, based on what the Olympics originally was, there is hardly a problem with China hosting them. You want to talk about statistics and the right down intot he dirt details of everything.

And when did I say that my issue with China having the games was purely because of its good/bad actions compared to the rest of the world?

The original link was about how athletes are trained in China.
How does that fit in with:
"Building a Peaceful and Better World Through Sport and the Olympic Ideal"?
How does forcibly demolishing the homes of people who do not want to move fit in with:
"Building a Peaceful and Better World Through Sport and the Olympic Ideal"

My main issue is that I am talking about the hypocrisy involved with the giving of the games to China.
The "boycott" is as much an attack on the Olympic commitee as well as China. As I said before, this is about the suitablity of China as a host in light of its actions before the selection, during the selection and now. That is why the link I chose to post was a sport related one because it is the most recent sport related one highlighting the poor choice of China as a host for the Olympics.

By your rationale, you have no issue with North Korea hosting the games?
Zimbabwe?
Sudan?

I say you are also blind because according to you, all bad is bad. One example you cite is that cheating athetes in the US is just cause for the US to not host the Olympics. That suggests you see the wrongs of individuals (drug taking athletes in particular) as being the same as a government/country who coerces and extorts its own people.

By your rationale, you have no issue with North Korea hosting the games?

Wow, now that would be progressive. Imagine if N Korea had a sudden influx of millions of foreigners along with the attendant world wide media attention?

The Chinese will be permantly affected in a positive way by hosting the Olympics. One example is that the government has gone out of it's way to clean up pollution for the duration of the games and that alone will have a long term impact as the people ask if we can do it for the games, why can't we do it for us?

The thing is, when it was first announced, I agreed with the simple fact that this was more or less, the first time China would have a chance to prove itself better than the public image of it and I would have loved for them to stand up and show the world that maybe China has moved on.

As it progressed and reports of Olympic related news comes out, I am just more and more disappointed that it seems once again, they seem to putting on temporary fronts whenever someone might be looking whilst doing the same old when no one is.

As for the pollution clean up.
Probably down to the cynic in me but I can't see that lasting beyond the games but that is not down to it being China. Whenever there is a mass outcry, something is always done in the short term that does do a lot to fix the immediate issue but it hardly ever lasts.

It was the same for the SARS outbreak in HK and it is the same here in the UK relating to the MRSA incidents. People eventually forget and lapse back into old laziness. Granted that it does usually end up better than it was before whatever incident but by and by, the vigilance isn't kept up.

In this case of pollution, it feels like a lost cause anyway.
Hong Kong has no real hope of cleaning it's air purely because of the climate, the environment and the circumstances relating to its unique density and traffic of people and transport and Beijing has more than 3 times (according to one source) the population and much more heavy industry.

Forcing factories to close down and relocate only serves to move the pollution elsewhere and I'm not even sure how much that helps considering the amount of roadworks and other construction that goes on.
Lets not forget, that more the construction industry is responsible for more than 50% (it is at least 80% in the Uk for reference) of a country's pollution.

As you say, China has a massive pollution problem. IMO their clean-up for this problem is simply to shut down all industry in the region 2 weeks prior to and for the duration of the games. They did this back in 1972 when Nixon went there.

IMO China will not get serious about their pollution until the Communist party leaves power AND the general population demand better conditions.

The Chinese government does not care about the long - term health of the people there. This government has engaged in a massive public relations campaign to increase cigarette smoking. All data regarding the hazards of tobacco have been repressed. This is obviously a way to make the average worker conveniently die at about retirement age so they will not be a financial burden on society.

and the point is still the same and still for both the past soviet games and the up and coming china games; they shouldn't be hosting it.

No, the point is the Olympics are not a political forum and Jimmy Carter was labelled an asshole for using the games as such. Only the atheletes suffered from that boycott. The other point (which you blythly ignore) is that NOTHING was accomplished by the Soviet boycott. Do you understand the word NOTHING? Nada? nil? zip? zero? Remember, a boycott will not stop China from hosting the games. A boycott will only stop thousands of athletes from participating in an event they've trained almost all their lives for.

Your political rant means nothing to the people who matter -the atheletes. You don't realize the time, effort, dedication and suffering they put themselves thru. It's all about them. It's not about you, not about me and not about whatever country we happen to like or dislike at the moment, it's about the athlete. Do you think even the Chinese athletes want a boycott to happen?

There are many reasons why China should be in the political hot seat now...Tibet, Falun Gong, the environment, Disney underwear ads lol... The Olympics are not a forum for any of those issues.

There are many reasons why China should be in the political hot seat now...Tibet, Falun Gong, the environment, Disney underwear ads lol... The Olympics are not a forum for any of those issues.

So do you think that in light of the political situation, the Olympic selection commitee was right in selecting China as the host? Do you think that in light of the news article which I linked to in the first post qualifies China as a worthy host?
Do you think that just because nothing gets accomplished that nothing should be done and that it should all just be blindly ignored?

All it will do is punish the athletes?
Maybe but a little part of me can't help but think that seeing as it is their forum, perhaps it should be down to them to stand up and say something isn't right. They are not slaves to the Olympic commitee nor are they slaves to the viewers of the events (unless of course you are a Chinese athlete in which case, you are a slave). Why has there been so little voice from the athletes? In the case of the Chinese athletes, they have no choice but from the other nations?

Are you sure the Olympics are not political?

Hitler used them as a political forum.
Germany and Japan were not invited because of the war.
Some countries withdrew from the Melbourne games in protest of invasions.
South Africa was not invited because of apartheid.
Taiwan withdrew after China had pressured the Montreal Olympics into not allowing Taiwan to participate.
You noted the wihdraw of 60 nations from the Moscow games.
USSR retaliated with their withdrawal of 14 states from the LA games.


Sounds like a pretty political event/stage to me.

Are you sure the Olympics are not political?

Hitler used them as a political forum.
Germany and Japan were not invited because of the war.
Some countries withdrew from the Melbourne games in protest of invasions.
South Africa was not invited because of apartheid.
Taiwan withdrew after China had pressured the Montreal Olympics into not allowing Taiwan to participate.
You noted the wihdraw of 60 nations from the Moscow games.
USSR retaliated with their withdrawal of 14 states from the LA games.


Sounds like a pretty political event/stage to me.

:werd:

Needless to say of course the Olympics is political which is sad. :shakehead

Now as far as any boycotts like from countries like the the U.S.A. that is wishful thinking and a moot issue at this point in time. Even G.W.B. is all excited about it and the chances of the U.S. bringing home lots of medals especially the gold.

Just sit back, relax and see how it all turns out. :wink:

Perhaps boycott is the wrong word but I can't help but think that if this was 10 years ago, there would've been a semi-global mass rally to show public by now.

I guess this is something that also bothers me slightly; that perhaps no one does care? Or going the other way around, that China has successfully hidden their actions.

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree that something like the Olympics should be politics free but that isn't the case. In an ideal world, it is purely about the sports and the Modern Olympic Ideal (and let's ignore that China has blatantly carried out deeds that go clearly against this). On the other hand, that it is a global event, it is possible the best forum for individuals who have an influence on people (i.e the athletes) to make their voice heard.
As controversial as it was, and whether or not you agree with it, the black panther salute did make a point.

Truth be told, I enjoy the Olympics but every now and then, I am reminded that while some athletes are there through their love of the sport and through hard work and dedication, some are there because they have no choice.

So do you think that in light of the political situation, the Olympic selection commitee was right in selecting China as the host?

Yes I do. The Olympics are not a political forum. What part of that don't you understand?

Do you think that just because nothing gets accomplished that nothing should be done and that it should all just be blindly ignored?

If shooting yourself in the foot doesn't cure a headache, would you keep shooting yourself in the foot hoping that someday it will cure a headache? Go take an asperin, that should cure a headache. Go drink coffee, that's also known to cure a headache. Take a nap, sometimes that cures a headache. But for God's sake, don't shoot yourself in the foot AGAIN! It didn't work. It won't work. It will never work.

All it will do is punish the athletes?

Why has there been so little voice from the athletes? In the case of the Chinese athletes, they have no choice but from the other nations?

Yes, who else has suffered from ANY Olympic boycott?

Why has there been so little voice from the Chinese athletes? We both know why...Asians are raised on the values of respect. Respect for their elders, respect for their superiors, even respect for the government which they view as the "Authority". Even if they know they are being wronged they will suffer in silence and do what is expected of them out of respect for the "Authority". It's wrong, they should speak out, but their cultural upbringing forbids it.

It is up to other nations to call out the tragic future of China's athletes. So boycott Chinese products, boycott Chinese restaurants and boycott whatever else makes the Chinese government happy. But to boycott the Games is to wipe out the 1 minute of glory these poor athletes train their whole lives for.


Are you sure the Olympics are not political?

Hitler used them as a political forum.
Germany and Japan were not invited because of the war.
Some countries withdrew from the Melbourne games in protest of invasions.
South Africa was not invited because of apartheid.
Taiwan withdrew after China had pressured the Montreal Olympics into not allowing Taiwan to participate.
You noted the wihdraw of 60 nations from the Moscow games.
USSR retaliated with their withdrawal of 14 states from the LA games.

Sounds like a pretty political event/stage to me.

I am sure the Olympics are not a political forum. That doesn't mean that nations haven't attempted to use them as such.

Hitler didn't use the Olympics to force his politics on any other country - he just thought he could show the superiority of his "Master Race" to the rest of the world. Typical of any homicidal psychopathic world leader.

Germany and Japan weren't invited to the Olympics but guess what, that didn't end the war. In fact it had no effect at all towards ending the war. Who suffered? That's right, the athletes. Hitler didn't kill himself because he couldn't compete in the Olympics, but I bet a few German athletes (who had nothing to do with German politics) wanted to die.

Did Apartheid end because of an Olympic boycott? Nope. Did the Soviets leave Afghanistan because of a boycott? Nope. Did the Soviet retaliatory boycott convince us to support the Soviet's in Afghanistan? Again...nope. Only one group of people suffered due to those boycotts and nothing was accomplished.

Sorry for the long post it's a quiet day at work.

That has to be some of the most naive and even insulting things I've read in quite a while.
How many Chinese people do you know? How many Mainland Chinese people do you know?
Respect for authority means that they will shut up even though they know it is wrong? Did you even read the article I linked to in the first post? Most, if not all athletes do not speak out because they can't through fear of the consequences. Do you remember the students' protests in Tiannemen Square?
Those students were in a position to speak out because they are not 100% relying on the Government for their livelyhood. The same cannot be said for athletes, especially athletes selected for global events such as the Olympics or the World Championships.
How much (bad) press did that bring to China? How much political damage did that do?

How much money does the Olypmics bring to the Host country?
How much of the world is focussing on China for the games?
How much face would China lose if other countries openly protest by not participating? Boycotting Chinese products is one way to make a point but that just hurts their pockets; it does little to damage their public image, which I should point again, is strictly controlled (i.e blown up) in China. What better time to make a stand when you have cameras from around the world looking in, especially considering that most foriegn press isn't allowed to film there without permissions and escorts.

Back to the question I asked previously.
If you agree that the selction of China is a suitable host for the Olympic games, then does that mean you think that coercion and extortion and blackmailing through threats of violence and loss of home/livelihood for your family, of your own nations' athletes fulfills:

"Building a Peaceful and Better World Through Sport and the Olympic Ideal"

The short of it is quite simple;
China does not fulfill the Olympic Ideal so why were they selected as host?
While some of it is related to global politics some of it is to do with the IOC. Sure the games shouldn't be political but that does also mean that they shouldn't be selected because of their economic and hence global strength.

This isn't the first time they had applied for hosting of the games but nothing has changed in the country's behaviour since the first application so what qualifies them for hosts this time, especially if you do look at the politics. That is also why an action against the games is justified because it is also an attack of sorts on the IOC.

By the way, the war was over when Japan and Germany were omitted from the games.

Looks like some athletes are making a stand of sorts.

BBC Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7547488.stm)

Some more China Olympic Shenanigans if anyone's interested.
Link 1 (http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/features/article.php/3763996/What+If+Chinas+Orwellian+Olympics+Succeeds?.htm)
link 2 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/12/olympics2008.china1)
link 3 (http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/08/10/vanishing_act/?page=2)

Well, as much as China would like its "Orwellian" efforts to give them control over the citizenry, they couldn't stop this one:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26123277/ (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26123277/)

I wouldn't expect them to be able to; it's impossible to have complete control over everything at all times.

That has to be some of the most naive and even insulting things I've read in quite a while.
How many Chinese people do you know?

Hundreds. Married to one.

How many Mainland Chinese people do you know?

Again, hundreds.

Respect for authority means that they will shut up even though they know it is wrong? Did you even read the article I linked to in the first post? Most, if not all athletes do not speak out because they can't through fear of the consequences.

The threat of getting squished like a bug will do that to you.

Do you remember the students' protests in Tiannemen Square?
Those students were in a position to speak out because they are not 100% relying on the Government for their livelyhood. The same cannot be said for athletes, especially athletes selected for global events such as the Olympics or the World Championships.

There is also the point that not everyone even cares about politics. They just run (swim, jump etc) real well and thats all they know.

How much (bad) press did that bring to China? How much political damage did that do?

Lots. Some.

How much money does the Olypmics bring to the Host country?

Not much. Its what it brings afterwards that can be the big bucks, but its not a guarentee. Montreal took a bath.

How much of the world is focussing on China for the games?

Probably only a third at best.

How much face would China lose if other countries openly protest by not participating?

Depends on the country doing it. If Angola doesn't go, nobody notices. If the US doesn't go, the crap hits the fan.

Boycotting Chinese products is one way to make a point but that just hurts their pockets; it does little to damage their public image, which I should point again, is strictly controlled (i.e blown up) in China.

Wrong. Hitting someone's pocket book is the single best way to get them to change. An out of work and starving population is one that is going to take on their own government.

What better time to make a stand when you have cameras from around the world looking in, especially considering that most foriegn press isn't allowed to film there without permissions and escorts.

If you agree that the selction of China is a suitable host for the Olympic games, then does that mean you think that coercion and extortion and blackmailing through threats of violence and loss of home/livelihood for your family, of your own nations' athletes fulfills:

Turn that question on its head. How would withholding the Olypics from China promote them to change?

"Building a Peaceful and Better World Through Sport and the Olympic Ideal"

This is like the first line of resume explaining the kind of job you're looking to do. Its all fluff. BS.

The short of it is quite simple;
China does not fulfill the Olympic Ideal so why were they selected as host?


See previous

While some of it is related to global politics some of it is to do with the IOC. Sure the games shouldn't be political but that does also mean that they shouldn't be selected because of their economic and hence global strength.

They should be selected precisely because they are the largest (population) county on the planet, have never had the Olympics and their economy can handle the games.


This isn't the first time they had applied for hosting of the games but nothing has changed in the country's behaviour since the first application so what qualifies them for hosts this time, especially if you do look at the politics. That is also why an action against the games is justified because it is also an attack of sorts on the IOC.

Most places have bids that fail, but remember, they don't fail because of politics, they fail because some other city offered to do more for the games (invest more cash).


On with the games!













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So are you saying that there is not a problem with how China treats their own people/athletes because in my mind, it is either one of two ways; you either think that their treatment is wrong and hence China does not qualify for hosting or that it is all ok and that China does nothing wrong.

Yes, I'm aware that the blurb line is just fluff but it is still something to bear in mind. The Olympics are supposed to be something more than just a sporting event (and not simply another world athletics competition) and part of the something is to do with making the world a better place through sports; something that China's behaviour does not fulfill. That blurb line is supposed to be one of the key tenets of the Modern Olympic Ideal. If you're not going to uphold it then what's the point?

What would not giving them the games have achieved?
It would have, if also backed by some of the right reasons, made them lose face on a global forum, one that they cannot control. The Olympic games were/are something they wanted because they wanted to show the world that they are the best and by giving in so easily, you've given them exactly what they wanted.

Bizzarely though, if you read the article about the fireworks and little girl, it seems that despite getting what they want, they still manage to shoot themselves in the foot and show the world just what kind of things they will do in order to present a good face.

Incidentally, I recall something reading somewhere something about nigh on 20 Billion was invested in Beijing during the 10 years leading up to the games.

But again, I want to point out, this isn't entirely based on any sort of irational hatred of China; part of this is also disappointment in the IOC. I recall reading somewhere else that China was actually one of the lowest scoring Cities (according to the IOC's selection criteria) out of those who applied initially so its selection for the vote is suspect in the first place.

If anything, it indicates that perhaps it's not China's treatment of their atheltes and their people that is wrong but just how corrupt and hypocritical the IOC is.

The Olympic games were/are something they wanted because they wanted to show the world that they are the best and by giving in so easily, you've given them exactly what they wanted.

:rolleyes:

IMO a moot issue so I don't understand why you continually harp over it. :dunno:

Obviously at this point in time China appears to be the best based on the performance of their athletes. Ranked #1 with the U.S. at #2. Of course subject to change. See link below.

2008 Olympic Overall Medal Standings (http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml)

It is a moot point.
I guess I'm just also a little disappointed how little people really do seem to care.

It is a moot point.
I guess I'm just also a little disappointed how little people really do seem to care.

I can feel for you but you have to realize there is nothing much we can do about it so why get the blood pressure up. The Olympics is big business especially if you look at all the sponsors and investments made. $$$$$$$$.

Now whether China stays number one in ranking remains to be seen but you never know for sure until it is all over. About the only gripe I have towards China is the garbage goods they produce and marketed by Walmart and other vendors. :lol:

If it makes you feel any better I try hard not to buy anything made in China but even many of our name brand auto parts are made there. :banghead:

I should also add that some of my grievance goes towards some of the Hong Kong populace who are from China when it suits them and from Hong Kong when it don't. In general, you could say that my anger is towards the hypocrisy and lies that seems to so rife. Mixed in with this is also mild amusement at how China seems to want to relate itself back to the ancient days when they really were on top of the world while conveniently forgetting a small thing called the Cultural Revolution.

Y'know what?
If they did just drop the whole charade about the Modern Olympic Movement and related better world making stuff and just market it is something that goes to the highest bidder, my issue with China hosting wouldn't exist.
It's the pretence that really annoys me.

Anyway.
No more.
I'm still trying to get my head around how London is going to accommodate that much extra traffic in 4 years time when most roads going east from central are packed at the best of times as it is.

The olympics isn't very important anyway, and has little to do with sports to boot. You don't have to compete in the olympics to break world records, etc. It's just a show of national propaganda through means that don't mean anything in the real world anyway.

If I cared more about the olympics, I probably would be annoyed that they are being held in the most obnoxious nation in the world today - when there are plenty of other countries that are more deserving, including other countries that haven't hosted the event before.
But what are you going to do. China paid to get the attention, and they have it, and it's not necessarily all the good they hoped for. It's easy for a country to market their propaganda to the people who live there, but it's a lot harder to sell it to outsiders.

I was watching the NBC evening news yesterday when they covered an issue about the pirated or knock off goods being made and sold over there especially with the Olympics going on and the influx of tourists. The article alluded to the fact that the Chinese government is turning a blind eye to it in general but if they are Olympic related knock offs then there will be severe penalties. :screwy: How is that for hypocrisy. :shakehead

I like that apparently China can do no wrong :rolleyes:

Let's forget for a second about the lip-syncing children (because looks are everything.)

-Or the fake fireworks.

-Or lying about ticket sellouts so the price is drastically inflated by resellers, then paying people off to fill the seats because people couldn't afford them.

-Or manhandling the press.

What the hell is up with the judges in the gymnastics competition -- do they just not like the U.S. or what? No one knows for sure if the Chinese girls are even of age! And I certainly wouldn't put it past them to BS the paperwork. Meanwhile, NBC might as well stand for National Broadcasting of China with the degree to which they're giving the Chinese a pass. Not that I think they should make a political spectacle out of it, because the games are about the athletes, not politics. But they could at least stop throwing softballs for questions when they speak with Chinese representatives.

It'll be interesting to see if the Chinese athletes continue to "magically" excel at the events that are scored based on judgment, whereas the other nations pick up the big medals on events that aren't nearly as subject to favoritism (for instance timed races.)

I should also add that some of my grievance goes towards some of the Hong Kong populace who are from China when it suits them and from Hong Kong when it don't.

Opportunistic actions in a bad situation can overcome idealism, and I make no distinction between your idealism or that of the Chinese government as they are equally distasteful. Go risk everything you have, including your life, before you criticize their behavior and see if you can stay true to your ideals in action.