Olympics and Political Protest
According to the Associated Press, because of China's international policies and economic practices, protest is a given, and perhaps not surprisingly, special protest zones have already been sectored off at a significant distance from the Olympic stadium. So what is all this protest about?
China's Invasion of Tibet
Tibet has an independent history of over 2000 years. During the 18th century, China served as a critical ally to Tibet, protecting the country and its citizenry from foreign invasion. Since the t
As we approach the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics, it is critical that casual sports fans are reminded of the political undercurrents ensconcing these immanent Games. China has been under the microscope since Beijing was selected as the Olympics' host city in 2001. As will be delineated here, China's treatment of Tibet and their mass production of weaponry sold to countries enmeshed in violence make China an obvious site for political protest.
Although this essay is not truly about sport, it is about the world's biggest sporting event as it relates to global atrocities, and therefore, I urge you to read on and ask if China is really promoting "One World One Dream."
When it comes to the Olympic Games, political protest is nothing new. Although the Olympics may not be as popular in the United States when compared to events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics represent one of the only times every four years when the world truly is watching. And even within the United States, the Olympics engage demographic groups who are less likely to be sports fans on a regular basis.
Most viewers of the Olympics are above age fifty (1), and parts of the Olympics Games draw immense television viewership, namely the Opening Ceremonies, while the increased broadcasting of multiple events on television enables various countries to showcase events at all hours of the day and night (2).
Because the Olympics draw such immense worldly interest, they have a historical relationship with different levels of political protest and occasionally the most extreme violence, coming in the forms of athletic greatness in the face of racism (Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Games), overt demonstration during ceremonies (John Carlos' and Tommie Smith's protest during their medal ceremony in 1968, Mexico City), taking hostage of and murdering athletes (11 Israeli athletes killed by Palestinians at the 1972 Munich Games), and factions of countries boycotting the Games as we moved into and through the Cold War in 1976, 1980, and 1984 (see also Crowe, Bleacher Report). Although this essay is not truly about sport, it is about the world's biggest sporting event as it relates to global atrocities, and therefore, I urge you to read on and ask if China is really promoting "One World One Dream."
When it comes to the Olympic Games, political protest is nothing new. Although the Olympics may not be as popular in the United States when compared to events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics represent one of the only times every four years when the world truly is watching. And even within the United States, the Olympics engage demographic groups who are less likely to be sports fans on a regular basis.
Most viewers of the Olympics are above age fifty (1), and parts of the Olympics Games draw immense television viewership, namely the Opening Ceremonies, while the increased broadcasting of multiple events on television enables various countries to showcase events at all hours of the day and night (2).
According to the Associated Press, because of China's international policies and economic practices, protest is a given, and perhaps not surprisingly, special protest zones have already been sectored off at a significant distance from the Olympic stadium. So what is all this protest about?
China's Invasion of Tibet
Tibet has an independent history of over 2000 years. During the 18th century, China served as a critical ally to Tibet, protecting the country and its citizenry from foreign invasion. Since the t
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