Boycott of Beijing Olympics?

Some in the world are calling for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics due to China's human rights record and current problems with Tibet.

The boycott can range from total pullout like in the 1980 (where many countries boycotted the Moscow games) and 1984 Olympics (where the Soviet bloc boycotted the LA games), or a partial boycott, such as skipping the opening ceremonies as a gesture. The German chancellor has said she would not attend the opening ceremonies. France might do the same, and Nancy Pelosi has suggested that Bush should skip the opening ceremonies as well.

While a total pullout would be unfair to the athletes who have trained hard for these games, I think it'd be a good idea to at least boycott the opening ceremonies. At the same time, it'll probably be useless since many countries have been hounding China for years to no effect.

Thoughts?

If by partial boycott you mean just the opening ceremonies, then I'd concur with that, as a way to send a message that the world is watching and not very happy.

At the same time, I believe it won't have any real effect, as you say. China is entirely too entrenched in their dogma and culture to just "give it up" because some people didn't attending opening ceremonies. But because the Olympics is about far more than the host country -- it's about the athletes -- I wouldn't support a total boycott.

We didn't boycott the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, I see no reason to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

Politics should never interfere with the true spirit of the Olympics.

[quote18b96b2e60="dmorris68"]If by partial boycott you mean just the opening ceremonies, then I'd concur with that, as a way to send a message that the world is watching and not very happy.[/quote18b96b2e60]
Yep, that's what I meant. Updated the poll entry.
[quote18b96b2e60="h3x"]We didn't boycott the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, I see no reason to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

Politics should never interfere with the true spirit of the Olympics.[/quote18b96b2e60]
Yeah I can understand the view that the Olympics should just be about the athletes, and that's why I wouldn't like to see a full boycott. It's kind of sad that this is the only way some country leaders really show displeasure with China's actions.

[quote993413d1c5="h3x"]We didn't boycott the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, I see no reason to boycott the Beijing Olympics.

Politics should never interfere with the true spirit of the Olympics.[/quote993413d1c5]
Exactly. The Olympics are about countries coming together for fun-spirited competition. It shouldn't be a platform for political means. I wouldn't even support a partial boycott.

Although I'll agree that the point is debatable, I personally consider gross human rights violations as rising above "politics."

OTOH, I do agree that the Olympics is about the athletes.

Therefore boycotting the opening ceremonies is a way to give China a black eye without hurting the athletes too bad. But I can see how people would not want to tarnish the event that way, so I'm somewhat undecided. I still support a strong message being given, and the usual diplomatic and political channels of doing so are useless, as we've seen for decades. This is an opportunity to do so while all eyes are on China and it can't be dismissed as easily, although it is a shame that such a historic venue should have to be taken advantage of like that.

lol Sorry, but "The Olympics are [b143932a04f]THE OLYMPICS[/b143932a04f]"

a boycott.... lol

[quote034b704d28="dmorris68"]Although I'll agree that the point is debatable, I personally consider gross human rights violations as rising above "politics."[/quote034b704d28]
Yeah, that's the thing. Is it really politics when people want to protest the unfair treatment of other human beings? I also consider it being above politics.

[quote034b704d28="Iloveipods2"]lol Sorry, but "The Olympics are [b034b704d28]THE OLYMPICS[/b034b704d28]"

a boycott.... lol[/quote034b704d28]
Much more serious boycotts have happened in 1980 and 1984 if you read my earlier post.