2008 Woodie Awards
Beijing games were Olympic-size letdown
By: Lori Weber
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Forum
I'm a geek for the Olympics.
I live, breathe, Tivo, and eat the Olympic spirit of competition, and of course, Michael Phelps.
However, despite my ongoing support and fervor of this momentous spectacle, this Olympics left a sour taste in my mouth. It wasn't because China won more gold medals than the U.S., nor that Japan beat the U.S. women's softball team, or that Nastia Liukin was jipped big time on the un-even bars.
The taste, which is reminiscent of eating a mouthful of limes, comes from the fact the beauty and spectacular tranquility at the heart of the Olympics, was turned into a giant press release, complete with myth and manipulation of facts.
What am I talking about, you ask?
Let me start at the beginning.
Back when Beijing was in contention for the 2008 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made it clear that any choice of city had to comply with certain standards. Some of those standards included being able to financially take on the burden of the sporting event, as well as world relations. China had the money to back up it's bid for the 2008 Olympics, but its strained relations with other countries was one of the major hurdles it had to clear.
Signing a promissory note of acceptance and understanding of the IOC's regulations, China agreed to their conditions, thus making Beijing a more than viable candidate. And they won.
Now fast forward to the passing of the Olympic torch.
Because of China's long history of human rights violations, the communist propaganda apparent in almost all the government's words and actions, and its closed off relationship with the rest of the world, protesters took aim at the ever-burning literal and metaphorical flame of Olympic spirit. And while the flame was never extinguished, the concept that something was wrong with the Olympics this year started early in the minds of many across the world.
Despite the preliminary antagonism of protesters, I was still supporting the Olympics in China. I wanted to give this country the benefit of the doubt, to rise above all criticism and showcase its people, culture, desire to be different, and show the world that China can be an open and friendly nation. I wanted to believe.
I live, breathe, Tivo, and eat the Olympic spirit of competition, and of course, Michael Phelps.
However, despite my ongoing support and fervor of this momentous spectacle, this Olympics left a sour taste in my mouth. It wasn't because China won more gold medals than the U.S., nor that Japan beat the U.S. women's softball team, or that Nastia Liukin was jipped big time on the un-even bars.
The taste, which is reminiscent of eating a mouthful of limes, comes from the fact the beauty and spectacular tranquility at the heart of the Olympics, was turned into a giant press release, complete with myth and manipulation of facts.
What am I talking about, you ask?
Let me start at the beginning.
Back when Beijing was in contention for the 2008 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made it clear that any choice of city had to comply with certain standards. Some of those standards included being able to financially take on the burden of the sporting event, as well as world relations. China had the money to back up it's bid for the 2008 Olympics, but its strained relations with other countries was one of the major hurdles it had to clear.
Signing a promissory note of acceptance and understanding of the IOC's regulations, China agreed to their conditions, thus making Beijing a more than viable candidate. And they won.
Now fast forward to the passing of the Olympic torch.
Because of China's long history of human rights violations, the communist propaganda apparent in almost all the government's words and actions, and its closed off relationship with the rest of the world, protesters took aim at the ever-burning literal and metaphorical flame of Olympic spirit. And while the flame was never extinguished, the concept that something was wrong with the Olympics this year started early in the minds of many across the world.
Despite the preliminary antagonism of protesters, I was still supporting the Olympics in China. I wanted to give this country the benefit of the doubt, to rise above all criticism and showcase its people, culture, desire to be different, and show the world that China can be an open and friendly nation. I wanted to believe.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
I enjoyed the Olympics w/millions of others
posted 8/27/08 @ 9:36 AM EST
What p*isses you off so much about these games?
Did you see Usian Bolt's 3 record setting gold medals
wins? The fantastic gymnastics events, etc etc etc. (Continued…)
It's the sport ( editorial from the UK Guardian )
posted 8/27/08 @ 2:42 PM EST
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/25/olympics2008.olympics2012
The greatness of the 2008 Olympics
posted 8/27/08 @ 3:05 PM EST
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4599303.ece
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