The International Olympic Committee's controversial decision to allow China to host the 2008 summer Olympics has angered many nations. Many feel that China's poor human rights record and recent dealings with Tibet warrant full-scale boycotts of the 2008 games. After the recent protests in Paris, London, and San Francisco President Bush issued a statement say that he WILL attend the opening ceremonies.
The question that has been debated regarding China and the Olympics is as follows: Are the Olympics a proper venue to voice political protests? Should the Olympic games remain seperate from politics? Does China's human rights violations and dealings with Tibet warrant a United States Boycott of the games?
What do you think?
50 comments:
The United States are not only allowed to, but should boycott the Olympics. The Olympics present a sort of "leverage" for other countries to affect China.
The Olympics are a symbol of international cooperation - a place where people from every nation unite for a peaceful, common purpose. By boycotting the Olympics, Americans - and people of other countries - assert that they do not agree with China's human rights transgressions.
Furthermore, the Olympics are an economic event, so supporting the Olympics constitutes further support of China as a whole.
If many countries threaten to boycott the Olympics, China will want to change their policies, or at least advocate change, to regain the respect of the international community.
On another note, the US should boycott the Olympics... but also speak out against our own human rights transgressions - torture.
~Elisabeth Meyer
Nicole Buggy
I believe that we should not boycott the Olympics because they're not part of politics. The Olympics aren't about China, they're about these wonderful athletes from around the world that compete against each other for medals. Also, they picked the place where the summer 2008 Olympics should be held about 6 years ago. I remember watching the T.V. and seeing them announce where the future Olympics were going to be held, but no one had a problem with it back than. The Olympics are an extremely complicated event where you can't just change the location in a short period of time because of a political issue.
Another thing is that every country has its problems. For instance, many countries don't agree that we should've invaded Iraq. So if they were to all boycott us, what would we think.
Instead of boycotting something that has nothing to do with the issue, we should find a different and better way of expressing how we feel. Besides, we are not there to support China, we are there to support the millions of athletes that work their hardest for years just for a shot at that gold medal. When it comes down to it, there are no politics in the Oylmpics, there are only athletes, competitions, countries, and medals.
It seems, nowadays, one can take almost any given decision in the world and turn it into a political problem. Seriously, it's starting to get a little irritating. Perhaps it's just me; maybe some people actually -like- having every move a country makes analized by other country's government. Obviously, I don't think politics should get involved with the Olympic games.
But, since it -is- a rather prominent issue, I suppose must take a side whether I like it or not. I don't think it matters whether the United States boycotts the games or not; they will still happen, and even if it's a small handful of countries, people will still pay some attention to them. If China changes their policies because of that; great. If not, then sooner or later another issue will come along and change their minds.
I definetly think the US should boycott the Beijing Olympics. China has clearly violated human rights in Tibet as well as it's own country. A gold medal is futile compared to what is happening to the innocents half a world away. In fact, to not boycott the Olympics is to show indifference in the face of a tradgedy. Because the Olympics is one of the only world-wide events, it is the perfect place to boycott, as we will get attention, and hopefully other countries will follow suit. Imagine if 30 other countries boycotted the Olympics - China would then have motivation to change thier policies. Even if they did not comply, they would still lose money from all the non-participating nations.
I believe that the U.S. should boycott the Olympics because China has violated many human rights practices all over thier country and especially in Tibet, when a country is chosen for the Olympics they are supposed to be a good example for the world, and China is not doing so. Also in preparation for the Olympics the Chineese government is treating thier people terribly bulldozing whole blocks of apartments, putting people out on the streets with no concers. Also China's pollution levels are rising in preparation for this event and that is definitly not something a global leader should do also China's involvement in Darfur, providing weapons to the Sudannese government to sponser a horrid genocide in the West of Sudan should definitly not be something that a country hosting the Olympics should engage in
If the United States are looking for a place to state a political statement, then the Olympics are an ideal place at which to do so. The Olympics is an event that is followed world wide, so everyone would see a protest staged at the Games.
If the large amount of Americans who would be attending the Games, were to not attend, the world would recognize our stance against China. China is doing so many things wrong right now, that we need to tell them how we feel so that they are pressured to stop abusing human rights, supporting the Sudanese genocide, and polluting our world. China, to me, seems to be the cause of many global issues right now. So by boycotting their Olympic Games in Bejing.
As far as appropriateness for prosest, I think that there should remain a separation between politics and the Games. However, I think that there is no better time or place for showing China how we feel. I know that sounds very contradictory, but it is the way i feel. China needs to be pressured, by developed countries, to stop its horrible ways.
I think the United States should boycott the Olympics. I understand that it is about the athletes primarily, but I think that it presents a good place to make a political statement. Statements should be made when there is an opportunity, it doesn't matter that it's the Olympics; they've been boycotted before. What China is doing, their human rights violations on so many levels, is appalling, and I definitely think it would be the right thing to do.
The United States should most certainly not boycott the olympics. To begin the olympics have always represented an opportunity for friendly international competition, and to turn it into some contests that competitors will not participate in because of some grudge is a waste of time and beyond pointless. Plus imagin how the people participating in the olmypics would feel after speanding their life to compete only to not be allowed to just because of what their government feels.
Furthermore, the United States depends on China greatly when it comes to trade and economics and to not participate in the olympics again because of a grudge or opinion could greatly decrease our economic bond with China. In conclusion, the United States should defianly not boycott the olympics because it is to risky and by far a major waste of effort, and time.
I do not think that the United States should boycott the olympic games. First, because the olympics are not a political "event". Many politicians have nothing to do with the actual olympic games except for saying that we should boycott them. Second, when people like President Bush and other U.S. citizens go to these, or any olympics, they are not there to support the host country, in this case China. They are there showing their support for the athletes from this country, the best of the best, that are there to compete. Some of the things China is doing are not civil or humane but these olympics aren't about China's politics, they are about the olympians.
I believe that the United States should not boycott the Olympics. Although China is doing things that are morally wrong, sports is not the proper venue for this political argument. Not only do the Olympics have nothing to do with the situation in China, but boycotting them would hurt other people as well.
Many people have trained all their life to get to the place where they can finally compete in the Olympics. If their country suddenly boycotts the Olympics, their dream is ruined. In fact, my friend had this very thing happen to him in the 1980 Olympics in Russia. He was devastated when he wasn't able to compete. His entire life had been consumed by this one goal, and it was ruined. Boycotting the Olympics hurts the athletes, and doesn't work.
In the 1980 Olympics, the Russians didn't change their policies about Afghanistan. The boycotting only destroyed an international symbol of peace without gaining any ground. Why should this time be any different?
Although China is committing human rights abuses, the Olympics is not the proper place to protest. We should figure out some other method that will convince China without destroying athletes dreams.
Politics should not be involved in the Olympics. The Games are an oppurtunity for all the countries to unite and have peace for a while. They are a joining force and a way for different cultures to mix. Also, if two countries involve politics, that could bring other countries into the argument, which could cause other problems between those and the originals.
Although the Olympics cause China to be able to associate with other countries, each country hosting the Olympics has an equal oppurtunity to do so, and so it doesn't make sense for the United States to suddenly boycott the Games now on the grounds that politics shouldn't be involved, as there have been political problems through all the years.
I think, that while President Bush has already promised that we will be going to the Olympics, we shouldn't. Right now, China is causing much distress in the world. It is helping out the Sudanese and the Janjueed which is keeping the Darfur Genocide going strong. A boycott of the olympics would make China realize that the rest of the world is against this type of action, and that they should stop it. A lot of people are talking about how the olympics are there to serve as just a sports event, how it was chosen several years ago, and we should go, because it is about the sports, and the competition, not the politics. But I think that it being a sports event will only help the cause. I think that if China realizes that we are willing to boycott even sports events, in our annoyance of what they are doing, then it will be even more effective than if we were boycotting something else.
Whether or not to boycott the Olympics is obviously a very big deal for a country like the United States. While I agree full-heartedly with the reasons to boycott the Beijing Olympics, I don’t know if it would be the best thing to do for the US right now. China obviously is a huge economic ally, and boycotting the Olympics would really make us vulnerable.
But if American citizens are willing to sacrifice the hard work of our athletes, and not participate in a global tradition, then I think the US government should hear the voice of the people. Because sooner or later, we may be forced into taking a stand on issues and implementing more than just a boycott involving Tibet, Sudan, or other countries in the World.
The Olympics are not a proper venue to voice political protests because the Olympic games should be a way to bring together countries even when politically they are seperated. The Olympic games are a time to celebrate your country and what your champions can accomplish and should not be another way to politically seperate people.
While China's human rights violations and dealing with Tibet are horrific, they cannot warrant a United States Boycott of the games because the Olympic games are a sign of unity between countries. The symbol of the games is one of greatest signs that is seen throughout the world. If one country, such as the United States, decided to boycott the games they would be seen as not cooperating with many countries. Not only would if reflect badly on the United States, we, as a country, would also lose the pride we gain by playing those games and the pride you see when a US citizen wins a gold metal and stands there PROUD to hear their national anthem play.
Overall, the Olympic games are a place to unite different countries and not a place to seperate them.
Despite the fact that I do not agree with any of the wrongs that China has committed lately, I do not think that the United States should boycott the Olympics. I feel almost as if the Olympic Games really do not have anything to do with China except for the fact that that is where they happen to be taking place this year. I am not opposed in any way, shape or form to anyone who decides to personally boycott China. However, I simply do not believe we as a nation should officially boycott the Olympics while our very own athletes trained hard for them and other athletes are anticipating competition with us.
The sole purpose of the Olympics is to bring the nations of the world together, so for now I do not believe that we should be making any negative political protests against other nations during the Games – even if we do not get along with them in terms of morality. Another point I want to make is that if we truly want to boycott China, we should not be merely boycotting an international event that they are hosting, but we should boycott their exports – which would be everything that we use in America that is made in China. When, and if, the United States is genuinely ready to do this, then maybe we could reconsider a boycott of the Olympics.
I believe that all the injustices that China is a part of are not acceptable. However I do not believe that boycotting the Olympics in China is not the answer. China has infringed upon many human rights in Tibet and in Darfur, and that is unforgivable. But by boycotting the Olympics only the athletes are harmed because they were training hard for it and might not get another chance to compete. The best way for people to protest against China is to use the publicity brought there by the Olympics and protest while millions of people are watching. Protesting against these inhumanities is perfectly understandable and acceptable, but the act of boycotting th Olympics does not hurt China it just hurts people who have striven their whole life to be able to compete in the Olympics.
The Olympics in not a proper place to express opinions. Even though China is doing horrible things it is not fair to the athletes around the world. The Olympics is about great athletes around the world competing against each other. The United states should not boycott this years Olympics. It is stupid if a young athlete trains his/her whole life for one chance to be in the Olympics and it gets taken away from his/her government. I think that politics need to stay out of the way of the Olympics and any other sporting event. I agree that what China is doing in Sudan and Tibet is horrible and should never be done, but isn't there some other place where people can protest. The Olympics is one of the most traditional events in our worlds history and now its a place where people can express their political views. No one including the U.S.A. should boycott the Summer Olympics
The Olympics are every four years, so for many athletes this is their one shot at the Olympics. These athletes have been training for their whole lives and for us to take away all of that satisfaction to prove that we don't support China is ridiculous. If we really cared enough to make China improve their human rights maybe boycott all shirts, pants, and shoes that say made in China in the inside label.
Although we don't agree with how China is treating its own people does not mean we should take away everything these future olympians have worked so hard for. Imagine, if you were an athlete and you finally had the chance to be a part of the Olympic games which would be the only chance you'd ever have, how cheated you would feel for your nation to boycott it. Attending the Olympics is not saying you're supporting the Chinese laws it is saying you are supporting your own nation and the people that help make it a strong and great one.
I havn't decided weather i think the olympics in China should be boycotted by the U.S. I think that we depend on too much from China, and if we boycott the games there, then we won't get as much trade. I think we would have an economic crash. This sounds selfish, but i don't think that we could live without what we get from them, for such cheap money.
on the other hand, China is doing very horrible things to the Tibetans, and now is a good time for people to see what China is doing, because they have the "spotlight" on them.
i believe that boycotting the Olympics would be kinda far-fetched but would benifit others if done by multiple groups and not the US alone. To boycott the Olympics would damage our relationship with the country China as a whole. We depend on them so much for trade that if we didnt go, China would become ourtraged and could really put the people of US indanger. I think that to boycott China this year woud be really dangerous.
i think that if countries united together and boycotted together then amybe China would notice the wrong-doing they are inflicting on their people. If we didnt go to China then we could show our views about how we strongly disagree on how they treat their people and hold Tibet captive.
I think it would be a great thing to do if we could boycott the Olympics but we cant because it would put our contry, trade, and safety in too much danger. So though i wish we could boycott the Olympics, i dont think we should because of all the consequences.
i believe that the olympics should be boycotted because what china is doing is bad. the olympics might not be a political thing but it is hard for it not to be. i think the us should have boycotted the olympics because the tebeten people need to be saved.
it would suck for a athlete to not be able to go because his country boycotted the olympics. but that is just one person. thousands of people are in need in tebet and i bet if the athlete were ok with not going to the olympics. a real athlete would know he could make it the next year or whenever it is held. he/she beat them once he/she can beat them again. this is not about the athletes this is about tebet
I beleive that the United States should not boycott the Olympics because politics should stay seperate from the sports. The political issue involving China and Tibet is a serious issue that should be attended to, but doing so by means of protest during the games is uneccesary.
The Olympics began as a means of entertainment, competitions of the fittest. It was provided purely for enjoyment. Why should it not be that way today? Politics is a whole different issue that national competitions shouldn't effect. The place that the Olympics takes place does not matter nearly as much as the fact that they do take place. Athletes work to hard for their life long dream and political argument between nation should not affect that dream.
Even though the Olympics serves as an economic event and supports China, America can't raise differences of opinion during the time of the Olympics. We should keep good ties with China for the benefit of both economies.
In a political sense, the United States should most definitely boycott the Olympics to protest against blatant human rights violations, as well as China's part in Sudan. However, this could, realistically, cause mass panic and chaos for the United State's economy. Our trade with China due to cheap labor (which should also be fixed, we shouldn't take advantage of underpaid children who shouldn't have to work in the first place and who deserve an education) would most likely cause a depression if cut off very quickly, in which case everyone would suffer. China is already fully aware of their human rights violations, and world pressure would, most likely, help, but this would come about only if the world view was consistently showing China how they felt, so to say. Boycotting the Olympics will not change anything, and will only anger China. Their policies are not changing, so we need to choose another time to protest, not at a point when it will change nothing. This sounds extremely cynical, but I'm trying to be realistic. Everyone has human rights transgressions, most are just swept under the carpet. Do people protest those like they're protesting the Olympics? No. So focus on our own issues while trying to improve the global community. We have so many infractions, mainly torture, and nothing has been done about it. Leave the Olympics. Let them happen, improve the human rights violations that we must find loopholes to get away with. Find that solution first, before berating China for doing the same thing.
Although boycotting the Olympics would make a good political statement, I believe the United States should not. The Olympics was designed so athlete around the world could participate in a friendly competition. It is held for the athletes who have trained very hard to achieve their goals. Also it takes a lot of work to host an event that big and all the hard work that was put in it would go to waste.
Even though China has commited some horrible crimes, I highly doubt boycotting the Olympics is going to mean much to them. The Olympics means more to Americans more than it does to th Chinese. Also the U.S depends highly on China, and because our economy is all ready low, getting into and unfriendly relationship with China would not go well on out behalf.
Political arguements should not be part of this tradition that has been around for generations.
I believe that the reasons for boycotting China's olympics are all true and should be dealt with. However, I don't think it would be a very wise economic decision for the United States at this time. China is one of our biggest trading partners, and the United States are in huge debt to China. It wouldn't look very good for the United States to completely boycott a China sponsored event, when we are the ones that owe them.
Unfortunately if a country boycotts the olympics none of their athletes are able to participate in the event. It seems to be a pretty big disappointment for the athletes to train so hard for so many years and never get the opportunity to complete internationally with some of the best athletes in the world.
The United States shouldn't boycott the Olympics because it can break the peace between the US and China. We owe China billions of dollars from importing goods from them. If we anger their government by boycotting the Olympics, our economic situation might get worse. Also, it is unfair for the athletes. The athletes have been waiting for this Olympic for four years. All their hard work would pay up for nothing if the event is boycotted. There are many issues that concern China such as genocides in Darfur. However, this issue should be handled carefully with diplomatic solutions. One solution might be to get the UN to get into action. By boycotting the Olympic, we might start another political war that is hard to negotiate.
The Olympic games are a great place to compete for sports, but not for politics. The United States should definitely not boycott the olympics. If we boycott the olympics, it hurts all of our athletes planning to attend the games. It could also potentially hurt the entire United States due to trading deals with China, and, through all of this, what will boycotting the olympics do to help the Tibetan people? Did the cold war end when the US or Russia Boycotted the olympics? No. So, will the mistreating of Tibetan people stop by boycotting the olympics? Probably not. By boycotting the olympics, we have nothing to gain and everyhting to lose.
However nice of a gesture it might be, it is politically infeasible for our government to boycott the Olympics. China has such a huge influence on our economy that, if our relationship did deteriorate, it would mean total disaster. Although it may seem unfeeling to support an event in a county with so many human rights issues, Bush really has no choice but to attend. For once, and it pains me to say this, I respect his decision, even though I believe that a boycott would send a great message.
However nice it would be if this were not true, the Olympics have become a politic event. Any gathering of so many countries, many of which are on, to say the least, shaky terms, is going to invite politics, however much you attempt to dissuade it. I wish that the US could boycott the Olympics, but it would be a stupendously poor political choice for our government. WE, however, as individuals, can boycott them. Although it may not send as clear of a message, at least we will know we did not support them.
Well,I'm not sure it would be a very good idea for the US to boycott the Olympics in China, but that's really because as a country, WE HAVEN'T DONE #$%!@#$ ABOUT THE TIBET CRISIS!!! We (as a country) can't go to something extreme like boycotting the Olympics when we haven't really done much of anything in terms of fighting for Tibet before. If the US had been arguing with China over the issue for the last 5, or even 2 years then it might be warranted, but we haven't, so it would be way out of line for us to act like we're ready to lie in front of the tanks for Tibet.
However, I do believe that the Olympics are a completely valid place to voice a political protest, when the protest is about something as serious as human rights violations and outright opression. If it were about not liking a senator, then no. People say that the Olympics are supposed to symbolize the world coming together for peace. Well the way Tibet has been treated and the human rights issues involved are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY more important than a few weeks of sports. Lets be realistic, two months after they happen, no one will even really care about the Olympics, but people are still suffering in Tibet. I don't believe teh Olympics should remain totally seperate from politics, because the problems around the world (whether Darfur, Tibet, the Balkans, Palestine, Burma, etc) need all the attention they can get, and the issues involved are more important than any sporting event.
Again, I would say that China's actions (in pretty much everything: Tibet, Darfur, lead toys, and especially pollution/global warming) warrant a US boycott, except for the fact that THE US HASNT ADVOCATED @#%$, and doing so now would be more of a call for attention ("Look at me, I'm a bad@$$ cause I won't go!!"). However, I do think that athelets should definetly boycott if they are willing to.
Like most people i strongly disagree with many of the things China has been doing globally. However the Olympics is not the place to make a political statement. It has been a way of uniting in competition for so long for the whole world and would be unfair to the well deserving athletes aswell as many other people.
Also from a political point of view it makes sense not to boycott them. We buy so much from China and owe them so much money, that now might not be the best time to be taking this kind of stance. It's sad that we can't help Tibet more but it could end up being extremely bad for this country.
The United States definately should not bycott the Beijing Olympics. It is not the place to make a political statement because the modern Olympics were created to bring countries together, not split them apart. With so many political issues in the world right now, we really need some way to pull everyone together and think about peace. However, the U.S definately should show their disapproval of China's human rights violations in some other way because it is important to let China know that what they are doing is wrong.
Also, if the U.S. boycotted the Olympics because of China's human rights violations, it would be very contradictory. It would really bring out our own violations, such as torturing prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. We would be helping China economically by attending the Olym[ics, however, we support them in so many other ways by using their labor and factories. Our part of the Olympics only adds to the money we already give them, and will continue giving them.
It is also unfair to the athletes. People who have been training for the Olympics for years should be given a chance to compete. For many of them, this is probably their one opportunity, and by the next Olympics they would not qualify to compete. It is not fair to deny them this once in a lifetime experience due to a political issue that souldn't be present at the Olympics in the first place.
I beleive that america should not boycott the olympic's. The olympics represent countries coming together in competion and to have the USA protest, would cause dispute all around the world.
The Olympic's isn't part of politics, so it would make no sense to boycott it. I feel like america protesting would only backfire and end up ruining the US's rep.
I think that the olyimpics is not the time nor the place for political things, it was made for counttries from all around the world can come together in peace and have a competion. During the colrd war, with few exeptions, the U.S and the U.S.S.R would come together even though they hated each deeply but they still came together during these events and competed in a gentamenly fahion. Although the chinese may be treating the people in tibet poorly, i think that if you want to make a deal out of it then do it after the olympics. I dont think that it is acceptable for people to be trying to put out the olympic torch and forceing security guards to put out the torch because they are afraid that something might happen with the protesters.
Though China may be responsible for human rights violations in Tibet and is fueling the conflict in Darfur, the Olympics are not the proper place for the United States to demonstrate its attitude towards China’s behavior.
If the United States was to protest China’s policy through the Olympics, there is a risk that the Chinese government could sever trade between the two countries. The United States economy is partially based on Chinese manufacturers and without these products American companies get, the economy would be set back. The United States depends on China, so it would be ill advised to harm these relations.
A boycott of the Olympics may also not have the desired effect. By boycotting the Olympics the United States may state its opinion about China’s human rights violations, but the statement may be undermined by the fact that the United States has not protested China’ human rights violations before now. It would appear that the United States has not questioned China’s policies and that the economic tie with China appears to be far more important. If this is the situation then simply boycotting the Olympics may not be effective.
Though China has committed human rights violations, there are better ways to stop the human rights violations then prohibiting athletes from competing. The United States should not boycott the Olympics because we are against China’s actions and furthermore the United States should find a more effective way to stop the human rights violations.
-Hannah Russek
No.
The United States should not boycott the Olympics. Yes, yes, there's tibet and humanitarian rights...
But this is the Olympics. A time for countries to stop beating each other up for a time and play games together. It's about unity, and what better way to celebrate that than... pulling out entirely and keep yelling at china for what they're doing? I don't think so.
This isn't exactly the most normal, sympathetic, or patriotic of responses to this blog, but it gives a point. Every little thing we do seems to turn into a full-blown political war.
Can we cut it out for a few days and just.. run around a track for once?
-Brian Hose
Even though China has been committing serious violations of human rights, boycotting the Olympics would not be the best option for the United States. While eventually the US will need to take action, right now we are not in a stable enough economic situation. China is our main partner in trade, and we are billions of dollars in debt to them, by boycotting the Olympics we could cause a major upset in the delicate balance of American economics. Also, our athletes have trained long and hard, the disappointment it would cause them to be forced to turn their backs on the Olympics would be terrible. The Olympics are not meant to be political, therefore, we should keep them about the athletes.
I believe that The united states should boycott the Olympics in China. China has violated many human rights, and what kind of a country would we be if we supported that? The Olympics happen, and all the countries come together and compete in sporting events, how can all the countries come together in China if we don' believe in what their doing? Boycotting the Olympics is a way to show China that it's serious, and their human rights violations need to stop.
The Olympics are not an event to be stopped nor should it be stopped. What the Chinese have been doing to the Tibetans is unethical. Yes, the Tibetans have suffered, but if they manage to convince people to actually boycott the Olympics, the athletes are the ones to suffer. I do not think it is fair to take away what you have been dreaming for your entire life, especially your country owes billions of dollars to China.
There’s a lot of pressure on China right now to do the right thing. The Olympics are a way to impress the rest of world, and China needs to figure out something to do with Tibet before the rest of the world turns on China. However, Tibet is ruining the perfect image of their Olympics, so they deny what is happening and attempts to quickly silence the Tibetans. Of course, as China oppresses the Tibetans more, the more tarnished the image becomes.
The USA shouldnt boycott the Olympics because it would take away from the world unity that the Olympics brings to the world every four years and it should not be made into a world wide political stage. The Olympics is about the hard work and determination that athletes have invested in their sport so they can excell in a
"all-world" level and respresent their countries with pride. Boycotting the Olympics would be a slap in the face to the athletes that have worked their whole lifes so that they can peak this summer and excell in the ATHLETIC world stage. That should be the main reason for not boycotting it. However i believe that the main reason that were participating is becauce China is very powerful militarily but mostly economically and i think that it is shameful that the USA only stands up for freedom and civil rights when its not agianst a powerful nation. The Olympics however is not the place to make this statement.
I do not think that boycotting the Olympics is a good idea. I think this mostly because I think that the Olympics is not something that the government should be a huge part of. Yes i agree that the China has violated human rights a lot but I think that overall individuals should boycott the Olympics if they feel inclined to do so.
I think that for most athletes, qualifying for the Olympics is a great accomplishment. If the U.S. boycotts the Olympics, they take away this special thing from hundreds of athletes. I think that the government should stay out of events such as the Olympics.
I don't think the United States should boycott the Olympics. Even though China is doing horrible things to Tibet and funding the genocide in Sudan, the Olympics are no place for politics. The Olympics are about bringing different countries together, not tearing them apart. If we boycotted the Olympics, tempers between China and the U.S. would flare and that is the last thing we want to happen because of all the goods we buy from China. Are economy would be in even worse shape than it is now if we did boycott the Olympics, so this would be a horrible decision.
I believe that the Olympics should not be boycotted by the USA. The Athletes have tried so hard to train to become the athletes that they are. So if we just take away all there hard work, then they would have wasted time.
Instead of boycotting the Olympics we should boycott other things that come from China. We should boycott products and things that we could live without. This would help us to send our message when we are boycotting China.
Yet again I find myself torn on the matter. On one hand I believe that this is unfair to the athletes and that they shouldn’t be penalized for China’s choices. On the other I believe that what China is doing is down right wrong and that something should be done. Although the athletes should be able to compete I think it shouldn’t be done in China. China is treating their people and Tibet horribly! They are abusing them and have many human rights violations. By having the Olympics there it would bring millions of dollars into their economy, this doesn’t help the U.S. in any way. Also many are upset about the trade in Darfur as well as how China won’t free Tibet. My honest final answer is that although I think there should be some kind of boycott against China’s treatment of their people and Tibet it shouldn’t be displayed by opposing the Olympics there.
I believe that the Olympics are a sport not a political move. It was made to commend all the strongest men and women for their hard work. The only reason why i believe we should boycott the Olympics is that all our athletes might flop over and die because of the pollution. The only reason why someone should boycott the Olympics is that if their athletes might get harmed in anyway. For example, if the athletes get shot. If there is no danger of the athletes getting shot and the only reason why you are boycotting the Olympics is to protest Tibet, well I’m sorry live with it. This is not your problem. Protest some other way. Also I hope the US basketball team kicks some total Asian butt. And if we boycott the Olympics I will be extremely pissed.
No I do not think that it should be okay for a country to just go and boycott the Olympics because that is unfair to the athletes who trained to go to these Olympics and it might be their only chance. The Olympics are a time for nations to be at peace with each other and it is not a time to go around and boycott the Olympics because of a governments actions.
When you boycott the Olympics it just makes the host of the Olympics not want to be your ally that much more and we depend on China so we could not boycott them in fear of losing trade with China. China is a big nation that has great military potential and they could easily wage a war with the United States between nuclear weapons.
America should not boycott the Olympics. China is a rapidly developing country. Despite its flaws, it is still a very respectful nation, and has had a history of greatness. Inventing gunpowder, the compass, paper, etc. I believe it is China's turn to rise to the top. With the world's most densely populated cities, China is an efficient powerhouse. Since Parts of Tibet are in China, the simple label of being under the Peoples Republic of China is not too much to ask.
In addition, the purpose of the Olympics is to honor athletes. It is simply a big game with many countries participating. China's pseudo communist political government has nothing to do with other countries. The athletes would be absolutely outraged if their life's goal was trashed by boycotting extremist democrats, republicans, Americans, etc... As an Asian-American of Chinese decent, I believe that all nations should be equally penalized for their actions, and that no country is perfect. We blame China for harming Tibetans, when we fought the "War on Terror" for our own selfish need of oil.
Rick Schader
We absolutely should not boycott the Olympics, ever. Period. The Olympics are about unity and sportsmanship, and by boycotting them I think we would make a lot more enemies than sympathizers, not to mention disappointing many of the athletes who have worked so hard to get on the Olympic team. It would be a bad move in general, so for once I agree with president Bush.
i believe that the olympics should be boycotted in china, but not because of the situation in tibet, (which is teerrible), but instead because of health issues revolving beijing and the rest of china, the olympic comittiee made a terrible decision in placing the olympics in china, there are terrible pollution problems throughout china which will affect many of the olympians and fans. politics should not be a part of the olympics, but common sense should
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