Boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics

[FlyingForehead]

As you know, Beijing is holding the Olympics this year in August. Also, recently, Tibet, which has been under Chinese control for many years now, fell into unrest due to massive anti-China protests which in-turn lead to waves of violence against these protesters by the Chinese Government resulting in many killed and injured.

The Olympic Torch Relay, and iconic event which symbolises World Unity, has been interrupted on several occasions by pro-Tibetan supporters. In the wake of these interruptions, the Chinese Government has stated that "Tibetan protesters should cease and decist from their actions, or face criminal punishment."

Following this statement, Tibetan dignitaries, both political and spiritual such as the Dalai Llama, have called for a boycott of the Chinese Olympic Committee, saying that China should never host the Olympics again.

I wondered, how do you all feel about this issue, should Tibetans cease their protests, or should they press the idea of the boycott further, give me your thoughts.

[LtKillroy]

I tink the retard that said we should hold it there in the first place should be put in a home, but otherwise no, I don't think we should. The Olympics is not about the country that hosts it, but the athletes that compete. I am no fan of China, but I think that they couldn't care less who went to some ceremony, it won't stop them. Now I understand the whole "political statement" aspect of it, but if a country doesn't like China that much, why just not go to some big track meet, actually do something about China in a way that matters. All  boycotting the Olympics will do is dishonor the athletes, and they worked too hard for that.

[Mangled*]

Olympics is boring anyway, I'm all for a good boycott if it helps liberate Tibet.

[Graham]

Yeah I will be watching it for the entertainment. I don't support China or anything... I just think boycotts are useless.

[bja888]

I don't think it should be in China till they clean up their shit.

In a couple years, maybe. Not this year IMO.

[Captain Ben]

i'd like to see some proof that the dalai llama has called for a boycott of the beijing olympics

[Kerrazyeye]

i'd like to see some proof that the dalai llama has called for a boycott of the beijing olympics

I dont think he directly called for a boycott. The boycott was a few countries response to the donkeyshit going on there. Shame Canada decided not to boycott.

[FliesLikeABrick]

One of the original characteristics of the olympics was that all differences were put aside for the games.  Wars would be put on hold/not interfere among many other things.  To boycott the olympics over this goes against what the olympics stand for

[frogboy]

I think that same argument is being used against China, though - human rights abuses and invading countries probably isn't what the Olympics stands for either.

[Captain Ben]

dalai llama can't say anything remotely antichina or else he gets booted out of the country he lives in now [i don't know which one]

[BondJamesBond]

Captain Ben - it's India, Dalai Lama does not support boycott, he has said plenty of things anti-China. wow.

[Mangled*]

One of the original characteristics of the olympics was that all differences were put aside for the games.  Wars would be put on hold/not interfere among many other things.

"Here, just forget for a few weeks that we oppress your people and watch some people running around on a track." Sounds like sidelining an important issue for something as trivial as sport.

I think it should be boycotted just so that something different happens for a change.

So that we can say to our children "I remember when they boycotted the Chinese 2008 Olympics, that was certainly more interesting than all the other Olympics which were normal and inconsequential and not at all profound and consisting of mere young athletes who have careers that burn out after 8 years and get forgotten by the world."

I mean it's not as if China would get really angry and start nuking everyone.... Actually that could happen. China is pretty far up its own backside without any valid reason to be.

[The Geologist]

Meh...the Olympics have nothing to do with China, nor any other country they're hosted in.  And for that matter, when were they ever meant to bear consequence or change anything?.

People just seem to keep finding ways to use them as means for their ends.  Can't we just let a sporting event be a sporting event? 

My question is: Why does the world need the Olympics to point out the obvious problems in Tibet?  People have been ranting and the whole cycle has gone on for years, but now that the Olympics come along it's something special?

Pfft. 

I'd rather Tibet see aid without the Olympics than get a bunch of shallow and ultimately face-saving backing from those who otherwise wouldn't give a damn.

Edit: And that's not to say I don't like groups who have been pushing for all things pro-Tibet for all this time getting a little attention because of things, or for that matter, the issue itself.  I just feel a bit miffed at the notion that people suddenly care because the Olympics became involved.

[Captain Ben]

Captain Ben - it's India, Dalai Lama does not support boycott, he has said plenty of things anti-China. wow.

one of the conditions of the dalai llama staying in india is that he cannot say anything that's strongly antichina. wow.

or hey prove me wrong find me some proof

[{LAW} Gamer_2k4]

[Pie]

Personally, boycotting the games won't really achieve much.
The games are for the athletes. Not for the country, sure the country is important, but the games are bigger than the country they are in.

So boycotting the games only hurts and hinders the athlete's who are participating in them, you would be pissed if you trained for 4 years, only to find that the boycott of the games meant that you couldn't participate.

Also, I think that the Dali Lama wouldn't support it, but he wouldn't out right offend the Chinese government, due to the fact that he is a major influence on some parts of the world, so he walks a fine line.


@^ post.

what is weird is that a Chinese made shirt would say free Tibet .
That's ironic of china.

(ignoring the rest of the blatant irony.)

[jap_man]

They should definitely press further for a boycott, this is a time when all eyes are turned on China so it makes perfect sense to bring awareness to this issue. It's a shame for the countless number of athletes and chinese workers who are bringing this all together, but really China is probably one of the biggest violators of human rights in the world and right now is a very good opportunity to send a strong message China, as well as bringing awareness to the issue.

[STM1993]

Well, from what I see on this thread...

I have no comments about Tibet wanting its freedom and independence from China. However, I have a few comments when it comes to the Beijing Olympics 2008.

The Olympics is an international, global affair, its not just for China, but rather the whole world. It does not matter who hosts it, but what matters is who are taking part and what is going to happen in the Olympics. The Olympics is basically a competition, but I believe that the spirit of sportsmanship is the most important thing in the Olypmics. Which brings me to the next point that is both related and unrelated:

What's with the people trying to put out the fire of the Olympic torch? It's a symbol of honour, sportsmanship etc, whatever, and putting it out is a terrible thing to do. By putting it out, the person is basically disgracing the entire world and ruining the entire Olympics because you have destroyed the morale etc of the athletes, who have trained so hard, only to find their efforts go to waste.

So, I would believe that even in a protest, they shouldn't go against something that actually does not belong to China, as I believe the events of the Olympics are considered global and if it is interrupted, it does not affect only China, but the rest of the world. I rather the Tibet people protest against something else though.

[Liber Lupus]

I tink the retard that said we should hold it there in the first place should be put in a home, but otherwise no, I don't think we should. The Olympics is not about the country that hosts it, but the athletes that compete. I am no fan of China, but I think that they couldn't care less who went to some ceremony, it won't stop them. Now I understand the whole "political statement" aspect of it, but if a country doesn't like China that much, why just not go to some big track meet, actually do something about China in a way that matters. All  boycotting the Olympics will do is dishonor the athletes, and they worked too hard for that.

Same.

When I first heard about the boycott, I remembered this. Similiar thing happened with the Soviet Union. They invaded Afghanistan and some countries weren't very pleased with it. So, US along with several other nations decided to boycott the Moscow Olympics in 1980. What happened? Nothing. Soviet Union basically told the other nations to go f- themselves and stayed in Afghanistan for 9 more years. Only the athletes suffered from the boycott.
If you support freeing Tibet, then protest against China, but not against the Olympics that has nothing to do with the issue.

[Captain Ben]

protestors are opportunists even i know that