An Olympic Boycott Won't Do Much Good

As a former track and field athlete, I can't help but comment on the commotion surrounding the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. China is coming under severe criticism for its crackdown in Tibet, as well as its cooperation with the government of Sudan, which is accused of perpetrating genocide in Darfur. The most recent developments involve protesters in France accosting a wheelchair bound athlete who was carrying the torch.

Like it or not, the Olympic Games have long been politicized. President Jimmy Carter made the Olympics a political issue for Americans when he kept our team out of the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Carter's boycott was meant to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. The Russians eventually vacated Afghanistan, but not because of the boycott. Ironically, the U.S. military now finds itself mired in that very country.

As you might imagine, the Russians were not pleased with the U.S. led boycott. They felt America was trying to embarrass them. Therefore, it came as no surprise when they retaliated by boycotting the very next Olympic games, which conveniently were held in Los Angeles.

I was never an Olympic caliber runner, yet I had the opportunity to train with runners who were. In fact, one of my former tack coaches was a member of the 1980 team. As you can imagine, he was not happy to see all his training go for naught. After making the Olympic team, all he got was a trip to the White House and a handshake from the man who kept him from competing in Moscow.

I am not saying that China's policies should not be protested. Indeed, they should be vigorously protested. However, an Olympic boycott is not going to do much good. It certainly is not going to convince China's leaders to change their ways. On the contrary, a boycott will probably make them close ranks and become even more belligerent than they already are. Those who are really serious about delivering a strong message to China should seek other ways. Boycotting Chinese made goods, for example, would be more effective than boycotting the Olympics. But are consumers willing to pay higher prices for goods manufactured elsewhere?

Comments

[NoWorry:]

I finally get it: Seeking Alpha consists entirely of columnists with no credibility and no particular skills. If it wasn't for Yahoo creating links to this site from their finance section, no one would even know that Seeking Alpha exists. And that is only as it should be.

P.S. I am a self-gratification expert, I guess by SA's standards I should have my own column, too!

2008 Apr 08 04:42 AM

[the US and ...:]

This is a pragmatic view if you are on the side believing Tibetans within China are not doing relatively well amongst Chinese. Don't forget that the Tibetan exiles - the primary voice you hear in the USA/UK - ran away in a failed 1959 uprising. These were theocrats who ruled Tibet. Yes, using the "liberation" excuse to dominate one group of people is never a good idea. We are wiser than that.

During the Cold War, you obvious only hear from this group. We all know China is all but too clumsy when it comes to explaining herself on the world stage. They haven't explained the Tibet issue well in the West either in the last few decades.

Before your sense for justice and compassion is hijacked by a few, we highly recommend you getting educated on this Tibet topic.

"Free Tibet?" by Liam O Ruairc
www.uschinatoday.com/u...

See how people around the world feel about the recent Tibet events:

poll: recent Tibet events, riot or peaceful protest?
www.uschinatoday.com/u...

"The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama (Paperback)" by Melvyn C. Goldstein

www.amazon.com/gp/prod...

2008 Apr 08 01:47 PM

[fanning:]

Tibet was part of China that cannot be disputed as Scotland as part of U.K.. Let Olympic be a game of the world human race, have fun and talk and the world will be a better place for everybody. May be it is about time the Chinese government sells more Petrochina as PBR did, use the money to create a better living for the people instead of just buying worldwise stocks to benefit a few. Central planning does create corruptions and misunderstandings. A gradual openning of the market will create jobs, investments and research for a better living.
But please, it takes time.

2008 Apr 08 02:43 PM

[chinesepetti:]

The freedom and democracy fetishers British and American are occupying and raping another nation for oil as we speak!!! Should we boycott the 2012 olympic in London? shame on you the British where is your moral ground to talk about boycotting Beijing Olympic when you guys invaded iraq not once but twice in the very recent history(1900 and 2003). why you guys always think you are always smarter than Chinese? do you think we will let Tibet go because of olympic? stuff the Olympic we do not need it.

2008 Apr 13 01:44 AM