Summy
New Member
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Just some food for thought, as I watched the games... We all heard about the story of the Georgia and Russian woman's volleyball game that gave light to the on-going situation in that votile place in the world. I was sent a little peice they showed on TV about the Olympics and Politics... made me think, can the two be separated?
The most inspiriational story people use is the Jesse Owens story. In 1936, during the Nazi regime, Owens was able to win FOUR medals in the summer games, something that captured the world's attention. People looked at the political ramifications of this in Hitler's eyes. He was the one spreading the Aryan race ideology, depeicting blacks as inferior in every manner. So to win four medals in the games in which Hitler would only shake hands of the German victors, was groundbreaking and inspiriational to say the least. The inspirational story of Dr. Long a fellow high jumper and German who even though leading in the long jump, gave advice to Jesse Owens that would eventually led Jesse to the gold medal. They walked hand in hand with hitler in attendence, one of the most inspirational defiant acts in history... INSPIRATIONAL RIGHT?!?!?...........
However, was it WRONGLY POLITICALIZED? The western media until till day, claims how Owens broke so many barriers. He walked the streets of German and Berlin shaking people's hands, and even though these people are subject to great amounts of propaganda, they were able to shake the hand and ask for autographs. Owens was able to stay in hotels that were granted to whites only, and ate from restaurants that seemingly again, were dedicated only to whites..
Did people realize that Jesse Owens, and any other black man could not enjoy that right in their home country at this time? Does anyone remember that according to Jesse Owens, HITLER, YES ADOLF HITLER, smiled and waved to him after a medal win, when the President Rooesevelt and Truman wouldnt even acknowledge his inspiritional wins? HE was treated better in a nation that would kill millions of innocents because of their religion and colour, however at home, the country he represented treated him as if he didnt exist...
Then we move on to the Blood in the Pool game, the famous Water Polo game with the USSR and Hungary. Prior to the games of 1956, Hungary planned an ill fated revolt against the USSR. The USSR would end up sending hundreds of thousands of solidiers to secure the area, that cause choas and complete control of Hungary. So when the two teams met in the Water Polo olympic games, it was bound to get ugly...
The game was played only in name, but the vent became more than a game, rather an opeertunity for paybacl. Hungarian players would punch, kick, strangle and beat up the USSR as numerous fights in the pool broke out. A hungarian player sucker punched a USSR player from behind leading to stitches and a red pool of water...
What are the morals to these stories:
As I read the other thread about China's "shadyness" we have to remember, it is an opeertunity for every country to send a message. So is what China is doing in the games right now any worst then what other countries have done? Human rights allegations aside, and if we focus JUST on the games, silencing of the media, these are things that come with political undertones.
The USA in Salt Lake city 2002 raised a flag of the twin towers. Political sentiments are numerous there. Imagine if you dont support foriegn american policies, and that your family was murdered and killed by the hands of these americans?
The Soviet Boycotts of the 80's?
The olympic committee making the East and West germans sides join together to play together in the games?
The black power salute in Mexico City?
The games are not apolitical. The games are very political events. What China is doing is merely continuing their policy of strong, decieveness to the olympic games. If we, as Canadians and Americans adhere to their values in everyday life, as we trade, benefit from their products, and imports, then there is no way we can be critical of their politics at home. This is distinct issue from their politics abroad like in Darfur etc... If we accept the games are political, and our everyday lives, we accept Chinese political tactics, how can we possibly be upset at how they conduct themselves infront of the world?
The west has politicalized the events just as much as the Chinese have...
The most inspiriational story people use is the Jesse Owens story. In 1936, during the Nazi regime, Owens was able to win FOUR medals in the summer games, something that captured the world's attention. People looked at the political ramifications of this in Hitler's eyes. He was the one spreading the Aryan race ideology, depeicting blacks as inferior in every manner. So to win four medals in the games in which Hitler would only shake hands of the German victors, was groundbreaking and inspiriational to say the least. The inspirational story of Dr. Long a fellow high jumper and German who even though leading in the long jump, gave advice to Jesse Owens that would eventually led Jesse to the gold medal. They walked hand in hand with hitler in attendence, one of the most inspirational defiant acts in history... INSPIRATIONAL RIGHT?!?!?...........
However, was it WRONGLY POLITICALIZED? The western media until till day, claims how Owens broke so many barriers. He walked the streets of German and Berlin shaking people's hands, and even though these people are subject to great amounts of propaganda, they were able to shake the hand and ask for autographs. Owens was able to stay in hotels that were granted to whites only, and ate from restaurants that seemingly again, were dedicated only to whites..
Did people realize that Jesse Owens, and any other black man could not enjoy that right in their home country at this time? Does anyone remember that according to Jesse Owens, HITLER, YES ADOLF HITLER, smiled and waved to him after a medal win, when the President Rooesevelt and Truman wouldnt even acknowledge his inspiritional wins? HE was treated better in a nation that would kill millions of innocents because of their religion and colour, however at home, the country he represented treated him as if he didnt exist...
Then we move on to the Blood in the Pool game, the famous Water Polo game with the USSR and Hungary. Prior to the games of 1956, Hungary planned an ill fated revolt against the USSR. The USSR would end up sending hundreds of thousands of solidiers to secure the area, that cause choas and complete control of Hungary. So when the two teams met in the Water Polo olympic games, it was bound to get ugly...
The game was played only in name, but the vent became more than a game, rather an opeertunity for paybacl. Hungarian players would punch, kick, strangle and beat up the USSR as numerous fights in the pool broke out. A hungarian player sucker punched a USSR player from behind leading to stitches and a red pool of water...
What are the morals to these stories:
As I read the other thread about China's "shadyness" we have to remember, it is an opeertunity for every country to send a message. So is what China is doing in the games right now any worst then what other countries have done? Human rights allegations aside, and if we focus JUST on the games, silencing of the media, these are things that come with political undertones.
The USA in Salt Lake city 2002 raised a flag of the twin towers. Political sentiments are numerous there. Imagine if you dont support foriegn american policies, and that your family was murdered and killed by the hands of these americans?
The Soviet Boycotts of the 80's?
The olympic committee making the East and West germans sides join together to play together in the games?
The black power salute in Mexico City?
The games are not apolitical. The games are very political events. What China is doing is merely continuing their policy of strong, decieveness to the olympic games. If we, as Canadians and Americans adhere to their values in everyday life, as we trade, benefit from their products, and imports, then there is no way we can be critical of their politics at home. This is distinct issue from their politics abroad like in Darfur etc... If we accept the games are political, and our everyday lives, we accept Chinese political tactics, how can we possibly be upset at how they conduct themselves infront of the world?
The west has politicalized the events just as much as the Chinese have...
