IOC Torch Relay

The IOC has announced that it is considering abandoning the international legs of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay as a response to the escalating protests following the torch en route. In particular, those in London and Paris have drawn significant attention as have the more recent events in the United States.

Protestors claim that their actions are in relation to Chinese human rights policies and their treatment of the people of Tibet. What about the human rights of the torchbearers? Why is it acceptable for these people to be subjected to violence during one of the highlights of their life?

Where have these professional protesters been since Beijing was named host? If they truly stood by their claims, we would have been hearing them for several years now. My guess is that most have just moved on from their last protesting job (World Economic Forum perhaps?). Here’s a suggestion- If you really must protest something Olympic, how about the London 2012 logo? It is truly an affront to humanity!

Put your hand up if you live in a country without at least one skeleton in the closet. Australia hosted arguably the most successful Olympic Games in Sydney, 2000 however it cannot claim to be innocent following the treatment of its Aboriginal communities (something for which the Federal Government has only recently apologised). The UK (London 2012) was responsible for the abhorrent treatment of its own children during the 1950’s as they were shipped out to populate the Commonwealth and France blows up the Pacific with it's nuclear tests. The United States, being the most powerful and influential Olympic nation seems hell bent on imposing its own values across the globe (and lets not even mention slavery). The list goes on. The Netherlands (drugs), Spain (bullfighting), Germany (Hitler), and Russia (Communism).

So why is China different? I am not ignorant to the history of abuse by the Communist Party against the Chinese people, nor am I unsympathetic to the plight of Tibet. I strongly believe however that the Olympic Games is not the forum for righting the wrongs of the past. The Olympic Games should be about forgetting our differences and celebrating our similarities.

Abandoning the relay would be a major disappointment as the Olympic Games are a celebration of excellence and at the forefront of promoting world peace and unity. They bring together nations on a word stage unlike any other event and should be free of any political interference.

Am I looking at this through rose coloured glasses? Probably. Maybe I simply believe in the Olympic Games too much, or maybe I just want to see some great football.

Good luck Beijing!