[ceilirose]

So many people (from many nations) are making huge amounts of money from business relationships with China. We talked about this in another thread. I can't fault athletes for taking part in these Games. It's not their fault or responsibility that national, business and political leaders can't deal with the serious and troubling issues that has arisen with China over the last two decades or so.

And on that note I'm off to watch a replay of the women's gymnastics from last night. I couldn't stay up and watch it live.

[TheAngel]

I can't fault athletes because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. When else, in the past four years, has Michael Phelps been talked about so much? Never. Because I don't follow swimming I've never heard his name once since the Athens Olympics, now suddenly he's on every news program. This is the one time these men and women have to shine at the top of their game, represent their home countries, compete against the best in the world, and get internationally noticed for their accomplishments. Some of them only have one shot at it. What happens if in the next four years, one of the athletes who had their first Olympics in Beijing suffers a career ending injury.
Jessie Owens ran during the Olympics held in Germany during the Nazi regime. He ran in front of a group of people that thought he wasn't fit to live. But it sure was great to see him win all those medals.
The athletes have the same choice we do, compete or not, watch or not, so you made one choice, someone else made another, but really, is the soapbox necessary? There isn't a right or wrong choice, there are many choices made for many different reasons.

[vc318]

^ Very well said, The Angel. This is the only time we get to hear about athletes not just our hometown but from all over the world. I'm proud of those athletes for doing what they love and there's no wrong in that.

Again, congrats to Michael Phelps on winning 7 gold medals. Last night was a close one by one second, might I add.

[sum1]

Originally Posted by vc318 (View Post) The athletes choosing to go to the Olympics are no different than other people taking opportunities to make money or get recognition even if it's with the enemy, per se. So, I guess Visa, McDonald's and all these other companies are wrong for endorsing the Olympics too? But we're not talking about them, right? The Olympics in a way is a business just like anything else. Ratings are bringing money to the television networks, commercials are getting money endorsing the Olympic and even ticket prices to the games have been inflated. It goes on and on. So, if we're going to judge the athletes then let's take all things into consideration.

"So, I guess Visa, McDonald's and all these other companies are wrong for endorsing the Olympics too? "

Obviously. Companies shouldn't be endorsing this oympics. Nobody should be endorsing or taking part in this olympics.

Originally Posted by ceilirose (View Post) So many people (from many nations) are making huge amounts of money from business relationships with China. We talked about this in another thread.

Business relationships with China isn't the same as taking part in a big party to conspicuously endorse China's behavior, which is what this olympics is.

Originally Posted by TheAngel (View Post) Jessie Owens ran during the Olympics held in Germany during the Nazi regime. He ran in front of a group of people that thought he wasn't fit to live. But it sure was great to see him win all those medals.

And it would be nice to see the Tibetan team win medals in China, but there is no Tibetan team. Because Tibet isn't allowed to be an independent nation, and this olympics is celebrating that state of affairs.

[ceilirose]

Originally Posted by sum1 (View Post) Obviously. Companies shouldn't be endorsing this oympics. Nobody should be endorsing or taking part in this olympics. Business relationships with China isn't the same as taking part in a big party to conspicuously endorse China's behavior, which is what this olympics is.

No it's not the same. It's worse.

It's 24/7 - 365 days a year and it affects us more than a two week period every four years. Business and political relationships with China endorse that country's policies all year long. It's just not the top media story every day for two weeks so it's a a lot easier to make excuses for it's existence.

[vc318]

This may very well open up opportunities for China. Who knows? We can't predict the future. But I seriously doubt life in China will return to normal after the Olympics is over. China has benefited from the many tourists who have come to enjoy the Olympics. They're eating their food, sightseeing and spending money in their shops. Maybe after this, more people will want to visit China. It's not a total loss for them.

As for the games today, the Marathon race earlier was crazy! I commend the ladies who actually finished that race. The winner was this woman from Romania and they say she was the oldest athlete to compete. I couldn't even imagine running for two minutes let alone two hours! Much congrats to her. Also, congrats to Michael Phelps on his 8th gold medal win tonight! Nice job!

[TheAngel]

I agree, I was happy to see Michael win his last race. He really is a great athlete and it has been so much fun to watch this journey.

[waichingliu81]

you do wonder though that if china wasn't a massive superpower and wasn't as rich it is it is but still have an appalling human rights record, still living under communist rule and workers were earning less than £1 a day making toys and stuff like that, they would've been given the olympics in the first place... i doubt that indeed

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by *Ledi* (View Post) Things like this really make me wonder why the Olympics are being held in China. What's the next location? Saudi Arabia? Countries like China don't deserve things like this.

not to mention iran and zimbabwe to name but a couple. i think the olympics should be given to countries whose governments aren't corrupt and of whom treat people inhumanely. the main reason i think china was given the olympics is that it is because it is a rich nation. its human rights abuses are on par with the likes of zimbabwe, iran for eg. as i mentioned, if it wasn't for the fact that china is a rich nation, with their technology, making clothes and stuff like that, then the IOC would've thought twice in ever considering beijing for the olympics.

btw, i am a british born chinese myself and yet it annoys me that a lot of chinese people esp. those born in here do not realise what is happening in china and instead blame it on the west because they think the west who are attacking china are in their eyes racist

[fetch]

Devil's advocate here- but which goverment isn't corrupt?

[sum1]

Originally Posted by fetch (View Post) Devil's advocate here- but which goverment isn't corrupt?

Some are worse than others. Like for example some governments commit genocide or pass laws that have people executed for witchcraft or homosexuality.

[sunnykerr]

True enough.

Also, gah, Alex Despatie is currently ranking 9th (before finals, though, so hopefully that changes). I knew he should have waited to either heal his foot properly or at least get more training in. Not that the Olympics would have waited for him, obviously, but this just saddens me.

Hopefully, he pulls out.

[vc318]

Now that the Olympics are over, I hope the Bird's Nest will be put to some good use. For some sort of recreation preferably.

[Maybe_Tomorrow]

Yeah me too. That's what i like about London, they've already planned a way that the stadium can be incorporated into the area once the games are over. Life continues to go on long after everyone leaves town, and often that can leave the city that hosted it in a mess. I really wish the games could be hosted in a less economically developed country, because i think they'd benefit more from it than the countries that mostly get awarded the games. I suppose it's just impossible for them though to be able to put the financial backing into it that it needs.

[sum1]

What a shameful olympics. Let's hope there isn't another like it.