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Beijing Olympics - protest China vs support the athletes ?

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HERE'S THE DEBATE

Beijing Olympics - protest China vs support the athletes ?

Should people protest the 2008 Summer Olympics & raise awareness of human rights in China or cheer on our athletes, their efforts & commitment to their chosen sport ?

MY POINT OF VIEW

There has been a lot of controversy over the last few weeks as the Beijing Olympic torch has made its way around the world (check out this link for it's journey so far).

Protests have surrounded the relay with demonstrations turning violent, particularly in London and Paris. Pro-Tibet supporters and other human rights activists have used the torch relay as a way to bring attention to their causes resulting in heightened security and a shortening of the planned relay routes in many cities.

Whilst I support many of the causes that are being raised by protestors, particularly the lack of transparency of human rights by Chinese authorities and the plight of the Tibetan people), I do NOT believe that the Olympics and the Olympic Torch Relay is an appropriate forum to raise such issues.

The Olympics are probably the single major event in the world that manages to bring together all the peoples of the world in a positive endeavour. The Olympic creed of "the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part" is upheld with even the smallest nations sending atheletes to represent them. Nations that are literally at war, compete on the sporting field - showing their peoples what can be done if there is a will.

In this spirit of human achievement and effort, politics should not mix. Many of the athletes dedicate their lives to achieving their best and embody their own nation's spirits, which rise and fall with their efforts.

Bringing the politics of China, or any other nation, to this is doing an injustice to the athletes. Whilst you may argue that what is being done in China is an injustice to humanity, and I don't necessarily disagree, the Olympics is not an appropriate forum for airing political viewpoints.

The United Nations, other diplomatic and NGO bodies are the appropriate forums for these; economic actions and boycotts may be appropriate actions.

Chasing an athlete carrying a torch around a city and trying to extinguish the flame are not.

YOUR TURN!

What do you think ?

Should we protest or support the Olympic torch relay ?

Support our Athletes

DaveWalters says:

I agree, it would be nice if we can let something like the Olympics transcend issues such as this. I have been in China for four years and there is such a gap in understanding (on both sides) in relation to China's policies towards Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang. Both sides need to take time to learn about and understand the other side's position before passing judgement and protesting against athletes who are only assiciated with this controversy because the Olympics was chosen to be held in Beijing. Great lens!

Kanga says:

The Olympics are about the uniting of countries in a positive manner. It's about the whole world, not just China. So while human rights are incredibly important to me, I don't think protesting against the torch relay is the most effective way of improving things for the people. Having said that, I do hope it has brought the issue a bit more publicity and made China a bit more aware of what people in the international community think.

Protest against China

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TORCH RELAY PICS

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WIKIPEDIA WORDS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

"No issue in the relations between China and West in the past decades has inspired so much passion as human rights. Much more is at stake here than moral concerns and hurt national feelings. To many Westerners, the Chinese government appears ultimately untrustworthy on all issues because it is undemocratic. To Beijing, Western human rights pressure seems designed to compromise its legitimacy, and this threat hangs over what might otherwise be considered "normal" disputes on issues like trade and arms sales."

[Wan, M. and others (2001). Human Rights in Chinese Foreign Relations: Defining and Defending National Interests. University of Pennsylvania Press.]

Wikipedia: Human rights in the People's Republic of China: This article is about the People's Republic of China (Communist China).

Beijing Olympics - protest China vs support the athletes ?

HERE'S THE DEBATE

MY POINT OF VIEW

YOUR TURN!

What do you think ?

Should we protest or support the Olympic torch relay ?

Support our Athletes

DaveWalters says:

Kanga says:

Protest against China

TORCH RELAY PICS

LATEST NEWS

WIKIPEDIA WORDS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

TORCH RELAY VIDEOS

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