2008 Woodie Awards
Don't boycott Olympic Games
By: Zach Franks
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Forum
As you read this, all across the world sweat is falling like rain upon gymnasium floors, blood is trickling down legs running on a track and tears are rolling down cheeks as a testament to pain.
This may be something many have never experienced, but those who have know why it's all worth it in the end.
Of course I'm talking about athletes, but to be more specific, I'm referring directly to the men and women gearing up to compete in the Summer Olympics, if they get the chance.
Most of the Americans preparing to compete have been training and conditioning for years. For some, it may be their last chance to take a place upon the podium and have their hard work and dedication recognized on the world's largest stage.
The Olympics are the purest of competitions, where athletes compete not for corporate sponsors, paychecks and bonuses, but for pride, recognition and respect.
This is not only for themselves, but for their country.
Cheaters are completely stripped of their symbol of pride, as they should be, and the honest go down in history as the best in the world.
But I think the greatest accomplishment that the Olympics provide is the erasing of society's divisions.
The only race is the one that occurs on a track. The only class is the weight you're wrestling in. The only language is your body language. Every culture meshes into one village to set aside differences and focus on their common interest.
Why in the world would our government want to take this opportunity from these men and women who have spent so much time and effort preparing and hanging their dreams on this chance?
I agree that Tibet deserves to have the freedom they plead for. I also think it is so admirable in the way they refuse to use violence to achieve their goals.
But America considering dropping out of the games as an attempt to thumb our nose at China is nothing short of silly.
I'll view any government no different than that of China if they restrain athletes from competing. Nothing makes sense about restricting the freedom of our athletes as an attempt to teach any country a lesson about freedom. In short, the idea is completely asinine.
This may be something many have never experienced, but those who have know why it's all worth it in the end.
Of course I'm talking about athletes, but to be more specific, I'm referring directly to the men and women gearing up to compete in the Summer Olympics, if they get the chance.
Most of the Americans preparing to compete have been training and conditioning for years. For some, it may be their last chance to take a place upon the podium and have their hard work and dedication recognized on the world's largest stage.
The Olympics are the purest of competitions, where athletes compete not for corporate sponsors, paychecks and bonuses, but for pride, recognition and respect.
This is not only for themselves, but for their country.
Cheaters are completely stripped of their symbol of pride, as they should be, and the honest go down in history as the best in the world.
But I think the greatest accomplishment that the Olympics provide is the erasing of society's divisions.
The only race is the one that occurs on a track. The only class is the weight you're wrestling in. The only language is your body language. Every culture meshes into one village to set aside differences and focus on their common interest.
Why in the world would our government want to take this opportunity from these men and women who have spent so much time and effort preparing and hanging their dreams on this chance?
I agree that Tibet deserves to have the freedom they plead for. I also think it is so admirable in the way they refuse to use violence to achieve their goals.
But America considering dropping out of the games as an attempt to thumb our nose at China is nothing short of silly.
I'll view any government no different than that of China if they restrain athletes from competing. Nothing makes sense about restricting the freedom of our athletes as an attempt to teach any country a lesson about freedom. In short, the idea is completely asinine.
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