Sally Jenkins finally stood up to the plate.This is the first time I've seen a sportswriter criticize China for their human rights record and frankly, it's about time. I know sports and politics are separate, but the world of sportswriters should weigh in on this issue. As Nick will point out, sports can function as a vehicle for social change or at least social awareness. Well, everyone should be aware of what the Chinese are doing right now since it's pretty awful.
I won't draw a comparison to the Berlin games since China is not exterminating millions of people, but unfortunately the Beijing games share many similarities with Berlin. To put it bluntly: China is a regime that not only refuses to recognize basic human rights but also supports murderous dictators around the world. Why then, should they be allowed to host the Olympics which allegedly showcases the best athletes from every country? Hitler's Germany got the games, but then everyone boycotted since they were killing Jewish people. China now has the games, yet they repress people who protest against this fact.
You may ask the question, "why didn't anyone point this out when China was awarded the Olympic games?" Good question. I believe the understanding (with China) was that they would clean up their record of human rights violations leading up to the games. At the very least, the games would put pressure on China to stop their abuses, but unfortunately it hasn't. If you don't watch the news, I'll review China's record on human rights:
1. They support the Government of Mynanmar which systematically murders, tortures, and abuses citizens of Burma (yes, I said Burma). This has been well-documented by the international community. Support constitutes money, training, political support, and troops. An example is when the EU tries to put sanctions on Myanmar. China then objects and reminds the EU that billions of dollars of trade are on the line when they talk about Burma.
2. China is beating the crap out of Tibet right now. Apparently they've murdered 130 people protesting the mere fact that China gets to host the Olympic games. Does this bother anyone? Does it bother anyone that the Chinese won't allow any foreign press into the country to document how the government is reacting to the Tibet's call for independence?
3. Similar to Burma, China supports the guys in Darfur doing all the genocide and ethnic cleansing. If you've been following the Darfur crisis, it's really just flat out depressing. Thousands of women and children have been killed over tribal disputes, and every time someone tries to stop it, China steps in and says no. Maybe it's the oil they buy from Darfur?
4. China is basically preventing anyone, including the United States, from taking a hard stance on North Korea. I'll leave US politics out of this issue, but suffice to say that everyone knows North Korea has nuclear weapons and they aren't afraid to use them. This is a fairly serious issue that won't be solved with China supporting a petty dictator. Oh, and did I mention that Kim starves millions of people in his country every day?
So what should be done about this? Jenkins proposes taking away the games from China, but this seems to be somewhat unrealistic considering how much money and time China has spent so far (it's got to be in the billions). Boycotts have been discussed in Europe – Germany and France didn't rule out the options. Protests, as described by the Wall Street Journal, are being planned as well.
My guess is that:
- No one will boycott games since everyone buys so much damn stuff from China. Politicians will bluster, shoot out rhetoric, and even threaten a boycott, but I doubt no one will actually do it. At the end of the day, China knows much of the developed world relies on them for cheap labor and manufacturing. Politicians know this and will eventually keep quiet.
- The IOC will not revoke the games from China because this will set a bad precedent of politicizing the games. In other words, the IOC is supposed to stay out of politics and by taking them away, they'll be making a massive political statement. That will then open themselves up to a world of criticism which they may not want to deal with. Remember, other countries do bad stuff and they may to host the games one day. The IOC probably does not want to put itself in the role of making judgments on other country's policies.
- A few individual athletes and organizers will boycott the games in an attempt to make a statement. In fact, Steven Spielberg already did this and I suspect others will follow. The media will make a big deal about this and that's probably a good thing. A news cycle criticizing China will at the very least raise awareness about the country's deeds.
Meanwhile people continue to die at the hands of a brutal regime and there's nothing the Olympics can do to change it. Pretty sad if you ask me.
I won't draw a comparison to the Berlin games since China is not exterminating millions of people, but unfortunately the Beijing games share many similarities with Berlin. To put it bluntly: China is a regime that not only refuses to recognize basic human rights but also supports murderous dictators around the world. Why then, should they be allowed to host the Olympics which allegedly showcases the best athletes from every country? Hitler's Germany got the games, but then everyone boycotted since they were killing Jewish people. China now has the games, yet they repress people who protest against this fact.
You may ask the question, "why didn't anyone point this out when China was awarded the Olympic games?" Good question. I believe the understanding (with China) was that they would clean up their record of human rights violations leading up to the games. At the very least, the games would put pressure on China to stop their abuses, but unfortunately it hasn't. If you don't watch the news, I'll review China's record on human rights:
1. They support the Government of Mynanmar which systematically murders, tortures, and abuses citizens of Burma (yes, I said Burma). This has been well-documented by the international community. Support constitutes money, training, political support, and troops. An example is when the EU tries to put sanctions on Myanmar. China then objects and reminds the EU that billions of dollars of trade are on the line when they talk about Burma.
2. China is beating the crap out of Tibet right now. Apparently they've murdered 130 people protesting the mere fact that China gets to host the Olympic games. Does this bother anyone? Does it bother anyone that the Chinese won't allow any foreign press into the country to document how the government is reacting to the Tibet's call for independence?
3. Similar to Burma, China supports the guys in Darfur doing all the genocide and ethnic cleansing. If you've been following the Darfur crisis, it's really just flat out depressing. Thousands of women and children have been killed over tribal disputes, and every time someone tries to stop it, China steps in and says no. Maybe it's the oil they buy from Darfur?
4. China is basically preventing anyone, including the United States, from taking a hard stance on North Korea. I'll leave US politics out of this issue, but suffice to say that everyone knows North Korea has nuclear weapons and they aren't afraid to use them. This is a fairly serious issue that won't be solved with China supporting a petty dictator. Oh, and did I mention that Kim starves millions of people in his country every day?
So what should be done about this? Jenkins proposes taking away the games from China, but this seems to be somewhat unrealistic considering how much money and time China has spent so far (it's got to be in the billions). Boycotts have been discussed in Europe – Germany and France didn't rule out the options. Protests, as described by the Wall Street Journal, are being planned as well.
My guess is that:
- No one will boycott games since everyone buys so much damn stuff from China. Politicians will bluster, shoot out rhetoric, and even threaten a boycott, but I doubt no one will actually do it. At the end of the day, China knows much of the developed world relies on them for cheap labor and manufacturing. Politicians know this and will eventually keep quiet.
- The IOC will not revoke the games from China because this will set a bad precedent of politicizing the games. In other words, the IOC is supposed to stay out of politics and by taking them away, they'll be making a massive political statement. That will then open themselves up to a world of criticism which they may not want to deal with. Remember, other countries do bad stuff and they may to host the games one day. The IOC probably does not want to put itself in the role of making judgments on other country's policies.
- A few individual athletes and organizers will boycott the games in an attempt to make a statement. In fact, Steven Spielberg already did this and I suspect others will follow. The media will make a big deal about this and that's probably a good thing. A news cycle criticizing China will at the very least raise awareness about the country's deeds.
Meanwhile people continue to die at the hands of a brutal regime and there's nothing the Olympics can do to change it. Pretty sad if you ask me.
2 comments:
Great work man. This is really great stuff. I agree with you that there will be no boycotts or any major trouble from the world's most powerful nations. Like you said, there is just to much money to be made.
The Olympics has lost a lot of magic for me. I love reading and hearing about great olympic moments from way back. But, just the fact that NBA and NHL players participate ruins it for me. I'd get way more out of seeing a team of young amateurs from the US play and not win the gold than watch a bunch of millionares crush the rest of the world.
When did things become so bastardized? I guess it was only a matter of time before money infected the spirit.
Although, I really think it started to go downhill for me after the Tonya Harding Nancy Kerrigan thing. Even now, that whole thing still bums me out.
Thanks man.
I didn't even think about this angle, and you're totally right -- too much ad-money, adulation, press, coverage is at stake for the Olympics to be canceled. Put aside China's pride or work they've done -- all the other countries want in on the action, too.
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