I think it is nice that the Olympics not be politicized, but China set the tone already....as I commented on my Taiwan blog:

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China has heavily politicized the Torch and demanded that pro-democracy politics, public protests, and other political activities abate during the Olympics, and used the Olympics as a lever to gain political ground in overseas Chinese communities, as this article shows. Further, those of us who have followed Taiwan's participation in international sporting events over the years can recall numerous instances of Chinese demanding the removal or alteration of flags, physical attacks on spectators and athletes, obnoxious protests, insistence on downgrading or eliminating Taiwan's participation in events, denials of visas, and so on. When it comes to the depoliticization of international sports, China has no ethical leg to stand on. Perhaps there is some standpoint from which people can plead that the Olympics not be "politicized," but until such talk includes withering criticism of China's constant politicization of international sports in general, and the Olympics in particular, it will be little more than special pleading on Beijing's behalf.
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I totally agree with your comments on Iraq. But note also that the attacks on the Torch are so nasty because they are cost-free -- nobody making them is going to give up their cheap Chinese goods via a boycott.

Michael
Michael Turton | Homepage | 04.11.08 - 12:58 am | #