quote:
Originally posted by ipab
quote:
Originally posted by High Speed Chaser
That can't be good for people with asthma
quote:
Originally posted by icd*
notice how their opening ceremony completely overshadowed the tibet protests and human rights arguments? 
it was amazing for a reason...
I have to bitch about this... the Olympics are not about politics... the whole point of the Olympics is to foster healthy competition. It's original intent was nothing to do with politics, so don't bring it into it.
very true... however it is a total different matter when people are relocated without compensation, stores closed (which are quite often the only income for families), innocent people arrested, journalists obstructed in their work, etc to simply host these so called "non-political", "let's all get together" sports event.... They make it political!!!
I'm not against China hosting the Olympics, far from it... but there are some limits. China could have done a whole lot more towards their serious human rights problems, instead they focussed all their efforts on the "show".
Yes it is amazing, yes the show was awesome (I wouldn't expected any less from China quite frankly, if they do something like that they do it better than anyone else), but who will remember it after a few years? If they did a big effort towards human rights, child labor, etc, instead, I think many people would still remember these olympics in years to come as the olympics which not only was a great sports event but also benefitted many (poor) people, human rights, child labor, etc... Now it is just a big show... literally...
The efforts China does for the olympics themselfs is amazing, but I would have liked to see some of that effort going towards other causes instead of a temporary event. True, the olympics caused some small turning around, but far from enough what they could have done. And I'm realy wondering what will happen when the eyes of the world are again turned on something else.
To give an example: read up on the story of the guy who designed those mascots of these olympics. They (governement) not only restricted him in doing things, they also bluntly ripped him off; it says everything....
/ 
