Controversy transcends Beijing Olympics

By Jeff Davis

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China has been marked by a heated debate. During the months leading up to it, many have questioned the Chinese government. China’s support for the Sudanese government in Darfur is undoubtedly a huge problem. But the real question is whether or not this is going to stop the United States’ athletes from participating in the events.

As of now, most U.S. athletes look like they’re going to participate. However, the lack of stability in the situation and ongoing political struggle is unnerving to say the least, leaving complete U.S. involvement insecure. Based on recent events, the most likely situation is that the U.S. will boycott the Opening Ceremony and not the actual Olympic Games.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is hesitant about U.S. participation in the Beijing Olympics. His personal indecision on the matter represents the current situation quite well. Wary of China’s human rights record, he has recently been quoted as saying he is of “two minds” on the subject. On one hand, Obama views the situation in Tibet and China’s negative involvement in Darfur as a disgraceful activity of a rising nation. On the other hand, he is extremely reluctant to make the Olympics the center of political turmoil. The Olympic competitions are, after all, a place where the entire world comes together as one.

It is tough to say where tension between China and the U.S. began, but it is interesting to note current conflicting business interests.

“I am a strong believer in free trade, but I think that we have not been very savvy negotiators when it comes to China,” Obama has said. “I think they’ve played us.”

China, gaining the upper hand on the business spectrum, has created a little bit of resentment, directly resulting in worse bottom lines for United States businesses.

Although the Communist Party is thoroughly imbedded in China, there are more enlightened political factions in the country on the rise. China as the stereotypical Communist country is no longer true ? in fact, many Chinese become upset when labeled in such a pejorative manner.

Another notable big name involved in the controversy is Hollywood director Steven Spielberg. In February, he withdrew as an artistic adviser to the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies over China’s support for the Sudanese government.

Junior Laura Kurrle says that she’d love to see all of the U.S. athletes compete in the games. At the same time, there are a significant amount of people on the other end of the spectrum. One McDaniel student, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the fact that China is doing nothing to improve the situation in Darfur is pretty sad. “If we have to boycott the Olympics to jolt China into awareness that what they are doing is utterly wrong,” he continued, “then so be it.”

On Tuesday April 1, 15 House members urged President Bush to reconsider his decision to attend the Beijing Olympics. Their letter cited the crackdown in Tibet, the Beijing government’s close economic ties with the government of Sudan and recent suppression of religious and human rights advocates. The Chinese government actually has the nerve to jail American journalists and reporters, and it won’t be left unnoticed.

Who do they think they are? China is a brutal place and although they have come a long way in recent decades they are by no means pleasant people to deal with.

At the same time there are a lot of people who oppose the boycotting, believing its overall effect would be “harmful”. Earlier this April a group of American-Tibetans gathered in front of the White House. They desired not for the games to be boycotted but rather only the opening ceremony. This is more likely than anything else; it wouldn’t immediately fix anything but it would bring immense global awareness to the situation in Darfur, while still allowing all the athletes to compete.

Further, many believe that President Bush should definitely attend the games and enjoy them, but use his to leverage and send a message ? to sit apart from the Chinese dictators and let them know he is not with them. We will find out what he does in August.

We also have got to consider the Olympic athletes’ point of view. These athletes have dedicated years of their lives doing nothing but training and preparing. Yes, they get to compete in multiple events leading up to the Olympics, but it’s all in preparation for the big event. With all that can happen in four years, and with the ephemeral prime of each athlete’s life, it could easily be each athlete’s last shot at an Olympic medal. Are we really going to take that away from these athletes over international relations? Are the Olympic Games really a place for political protest?

Take a sigh of relief, because you’re still going to see your favorite Olympic athletes this summer in Beijing, scheduled August 8-24. But keep in mind that debate is ongoing as you read these words.