Thursday, March 27, 2008

Should China Be Hosting the Olympics?

I think it is a tough question. The Chinese government is steadfast in it's refusal to acknowledge or improve the human rights situation in their country. They have obstructed efforts to bring the government of Sudan to account for the atrocities in Sudan, and are blaming the Dalai Lama for what is going on in Tibet.

The fact is, though, that the Olympic Torch is making its way toward Beijing and most people would argue that it isn't fair to the athletes to pull out of the Olympics.

However, a high profile event like the Olympics does give protesters a chance to bring to the world's attention the misdeeds of the Chinese government. Exhibit A is the protest that occured this week in Greece.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

i think that as much as people may be uncomfortable having the olympics in beijing, it shouldn't be as big of a deal as it is being made into. i think that if they do have the olypics in china, the laws of china should not affect the athletes. since there is so many human rights issues there, why did they agree to have them there in the first place? it seems odd that it was planned to be held there but now the same people are criticizing their own plan. why dont we just have them in america... that would solve everything, haha.
-kellymacdonald

Anonymous said...

i think having the olympics in china is a goood/bad idea... i think that the problems going on in the government system is going too put a damper on the exciting time the olympics are supposed.. i just think that they should be hosted in america so it wouldnt cost that much for me too go and watch them haha. but i think china building a whole new stadium and trying their hardest too build the facilities too be able to contain the massive crowds that will be drawn too this amazing event.. but i think that chinas termoil will be rising during the olympic games more then it is now.
p.5
kyle ehlers

Anonymous said...

Eh... Long weekend, sorry this is late.

I don't think China should be allowed to host the Olympics for 2 reasons.

1) The air in China is horrible. Even Haile Gebrselassie of Ethopia pulled out of the Marathon event.

2) There's probably gonna be some radical protesters there. Might cause disruption in the games themselves and gather more attention to the problems in Tibet.

Isn't what China is doing to Tibet kinda what Sadam did to Iraq. He pretty much took it over and made it crap right? Why don't we go free Tibet from the horrible Chinese government? I'm pretty sure Tibet has something we can snatch. If they find oil there we'd probably be in there in a flash.

Kingsley Casayuran ~ TGS
p4 WTP

Anonymous said...

hellen p4 speaking......


I agree with some people above I do not beleive that this issue should effect the olympians....I mean there already are so many tragedies in the world.. what makes epople thing that having it in China will be harmful to the olympians??? I understand that some poeople might feel unsafe with the tragedies in Tibet going on, but the worst that i beleive will happen is a protest outside! I disagree with the effect of the runners due to protests because nothing should effect them if they are world champoions and qualifiers... that would just be dumb...I heard about the extra security that will be provided so whats the problem are they not confident enough of the protectioin that they will provide?? I mean obviously some people arent so get more protection or dont host it.

Anonymous said...

the issue going on in china should not be brought into the issue of possibly not holding the olympics in China. Sports and political issues should never interfere with each other. People earned their way up to the top and there shouldnt be this controversy over it. I understand that there are things going on there that i dont agree with and are really bad, but it should have nothing to do with sports. I agree with others above that there will probably be some protesting and yes there is a chance that it could get out of hand, but thats a chance that we should take.


Maggie caetano
per. 4

Anonymous said...

i think that havin the olympics at china is not a bad idea...it shouldnt matter what the political status is like because any country can have problems at any given time about anythin...and it should not have to come between a national sport(The Olympics). So if its at china then it should be at china.
~5th~jm

Anonymous said...

Hello Coraggio!!

I agree with what other people were saying about having the issues in China stay seperate from the olympics. The Olympics is supposed to be an exciting event, its a life changing experience...it shouldnt be ruined by china's problems which kind of sounds bad but if the problems they are having are so terrible why would china even be suggested for a place that the olympics should be held? I dunnnnoooo if everyone continues making this a huge deal and protests blah blah blah then i say we just change the location haha
MATTISON GRAHAM P4