Olympics -- from Trojan horse to sacrificial lamb

[John Long]

As the ancient Olympic games were a religious celebration in honour of Zeus, the Roman emperors discouraged and eventually outlawed the old "pagan" religious practices after they formally adopted Christianity. The emperor Theodosius I legally abolished the games in 393 or 394 A.D.

Modern Olympic games had also fallen victim to erratic human behaviour. In 1980, the U.S. led a boycott of the Moscow Olympics to protest against the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In a tit-for-tat action, the now-defunct Soviet Union led a boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Now voices are heard in some countries calling for the boycott of the Beijing Olympics over Chinese rule in Tibet. Actually, the suggestion of using the Olympics to put pressure on Beijing is not new. It began as early as 4 years ago soon after China won the right to hold the Olympic games. The first voice suggesting using the Olympic games to put pressure on China came from somebody in Taiwan. He suggested the time when the Olympic Games are held in China is also the best time for Taiwan to declare independence. To this, China responded that it is prepared at all times to safeguard its territorial integrity at all costs. Hence, one would not expect the Chinese government to yield to the current campaign to grant independence to Tibet.

Why are the Tibetan separatists become so active overnight? Why does the Tibetan unrest escalate so suddenly? Actually this is no coincidence. The present unrest in Tibet and worldwide demonstrations might have been planned as long as 4 years ago soon after the announcement that China had won the right to hold the Olympic games. The Dalai Lama had been very active last year as he went on a high-profile tour to Europe and America. It is not surprising that he was laying the groundwork of what is happening at present. He may have take a cue from the Myanmar unrest. In contrast to the usual Chinese crude way of dealing with the crisis, his plan is subtle, meticulous, systematic, well-planned and well-coordinated. However, other than putting China in a tight corner and causing international embarassment to the Chinese government, he will still fail to achieve his main objective in the end because of China’s usual uncompromising stance.

On the other hand, it is rather surprising that the Chinese authorities had apparently failed to see the risk of hosting the Olympic games which can be compared to a Trojan horse with the Dalai Lama and his fellow monks hidden inside ready to launch their international campaign against China. Perhaps China has underestimated its opponents and is over-confident that it can win the high-stake gamble. Or perhaps it had been blinded by the economic benefits of the games. Just like a wounded lion surrounded by a pack of wolves, its opponents are too many to be on guard against. Prior to the Tibetan unrest, there were calls to boycott the Beijing Olympics over China’s policies on Myanmar, Sudan and other parts of Africa. China’s power and influence over the regimes in Myanmar, Sudan and other African countries are intentionally overstated by its opponents. How can China yield effective influence over those independent regimes when it cannot even control a few monks inside its territory?

Of all the problems, the Tibetan problem has taken centre stage in the coming Olympics. It cannot be ruled out that the history of the Moscow Olympics boycott may be repeated in Beijing. Even if no country boycotts the games, some individuals may do so. Those athletes who don’t boycott the games may resort to antics like shouting slogans or wearing clothes with slogans supporting the Tibetan separatists.

It may not be difficult for Tibetan separatists’ supporters and sympathisers to attend the games as spectators to create trouble and unrest.

From now till the end of the year, the Tibetan separatists will do their best to escalate the unrest to attract international attention. The Olympic games will turn from a Trojan horse into a sacrificial lamb. The Olympic movement will end up as the main loser in the end as more countries realise that individuals and groups will not hesitate to use it as a political tool for their own ends.

As time goes on, less and less countries are willing to bid for the games. This is because no country in the world today is free from domestic problems. For instance, the Europe of today is different from the Europe that sent adventurers and explorers to the New World or round the Cape of Good Hope 500 years ago. Now it has a sizable proportion of immigrants whose thinking often clashes with its own people’s belief in the freedom of the press. The US racial problem can also be seen in the recent Democrat election. It cannot be guaranteed now that the Olympics games can be held smoothly in any Western country.

Furthermore, with the escalation in the costs of food, oil and building materials, the Olympics games will no longer be viewed as a lucrative venture. It may meet its second death eventually.

[John Long]

The following is full text of an AFP/Washington Post “Eyewitness Account” from the Chinese city of Chengdu. It is taken from Singapore’s major newspaper Straits Times on March 18 under the headline “Tibetan youths on rampage, says tourist”.

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Edited March 20, 2008 by Charles Anthony
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[Topaz]

It seems some of the world leaders are not going to the opening of the olympics, although GW hasn't said one way or another but he did say he wants to go to see the games. As it was pointed out, if China gets angry with those leaders that don't show, they may not have a trading partner for long. On the hand , GW better show up at the opening or China may make the economics of the US a little hard to live with! Another problem will be security for all those leaders and someone told me that the SS told Bush they may not be able to protect the family there. Who knows, maybe Bush will set next to OBL!!

[Wilber]

The Olympic movement will end up as the main loser in the end as more countries realise that individuals and groups will not hesitate to use it as a political tool for their own ends.

Using the Olympics for political purposes isn't new. Boycotts of Montreal, Los Angeles and Moscow by various countries. Murder in Munich and political statements ranging from Nazis in Berlin to Black Power in Mexico city. The cost is a worry though. With the price of oil going the way it is, perhaps only sandbox countries like the Emirates will be interested at some point.

[Oleg Bach]

Using the Olympics for political purposes isn't new. Boycotts of Montreal, Los Angeles and Moscow by various countries. Murder in Munich and political statements ranging from Nazis in Berlin to Black Power in Mexico city. The cost is a worry though. With the price of oil going the way it is, perhaps only sandbox countries like the Emirates will be interested at some point.

Should have booked the games in Saudi Arabia to passify them...then - we could take the losers and protestors and behead them...or maybe have an endurance flogging..who ever did not poop their shorts or pee them selves or suffer perminent mental illness after being lashed 200 time WOULD GET A TRIPPLE GOLD MEDAL WITH A DIAMON IN IT! Its all very sinisterly and hypocritical...Saudi - that payed the jerks to plow into the towers..while American administrators tuned a blind eye to the bloody mischief. AND - to finish my rant...China when the time is right...wants to and may nuke us...that is the ulitmate agenda...but our rich believe that they will be spared because they were buisness partners..China and Saudi will hold even our elite oil merchants in hate once the smoke clears....THEY are loyal to extended famil ....our elite are not...For that the Saudis and China consider our elite as inferiour money grubbing twits...and for that...If China was ever to take over the world - they would execute...not the poor average guy..but the old bastard traitors on Bay and Wall street....old cultures do NOT respect disloyality.. Our traitors actually think there is no honour amoung thieves...surprise surprise..there is!