Do politics have a place at the Olympics?

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

This is the latest debate in the current issue of Costco Connection magazine. There are those who believe that, "It's a disgrace to put a political damper on the Olympic Games, because too many athletes have been training all their lies for these events." While others believe that, "The games are used to promote democracy and human rights around the world, so what better place to raise awareness."

My opinion is based on the fact that the Olympics have previously been a forum for politics in other countries, so why not in China? As a matter of fact, is not China using the Olympics to make a political statement to the rest of the world? What do you think?

You may also participate in the Costco debate by voting online at costco.com, click on "Costco Connection Magazine." The results of the debate will be covered in the next issue of the magazine.

Valerie

[Anonymous]

I agree with you throughout the history of the Olympics, various groups have used this event to bring attention to they cause or plight. While the primary purpose of the Olympics is too celebrate athletes and create a global community, an inevitable result is awareness political issues affecting countries.

[Anonymous]

I think that becuase the Olympics is a symbol of global human rights, it is okay to use it as a political platform as long as that focus is on human rights. It seems to me that human righths is the focus and I am not surprised that Chinese citizens are using this golden opportunity to focus on their human rights.

[Anonymous]

I too agree that the Olympics can and should have a political message. The games play an important part but the Olympics have always been about the Global community and politics is a big part of that. China will shine as an economic power and people will put the spot light on the civil right movement there. It appears as an outside observer that China has really been transforming socially for sometime. I know that China is now demonstrating a great deal of religious tolerence not seen before under its communist banner. Perhaps this new found tolerance is partly due to putting on a good face for the Olympics or maybe real change is occuring that needs to be celebrated and encouraged. What better time then when the whole world is focused on China during the Olympic games. 8-8-8 ya!!!

[Anonymous]

It seems that the Olympics is a great platform and starting point to talk about world politics, East Asian history, language, the economy, language, immigration,health, nutrition, and so on. I think that it makes a great place to start to talk about just about anything> As teacher our job is to always put everything within a context and to present the history, players and other complex processes behind it.

[Anonymous]

In the July 9-23 Talking points, it states that President Bush makes the comment that the Olympics is an arena strictly for sporting events and not for political statements. He made this comment at the G8 Summit last week. His goal at the Olympics is to cheer on the American athletes. While the Olympics is mainly a sporting event, it is also a global one. I do not agree with President Bush at all. As long as political protests and statements are civil and cause harm to no one, they should be allowed.

[Anonymous]

YES!! OF course the Olympics can/should be used as a place to bring global political issues into the spotlight! This is one of the few events in which the entire planet unites to celebrate athletic abilities...and more. Personally, i think its inevitable for political issues to come about since so much of mainstream media is present.

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