Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Alright, let's Address the Olympic Torch Relay

Ozy_Flame · 04-09-2008, 08:31 AM

Don't think I saw it brought up anywhere, so I'll create a new thread.

What does everyone think about the protests being held in each city so far for the Olympic Torch Relay? London was the spark to bring out the masses, and Paris and San Francisco quickly followed suit. And they've got another 20 countries to visit afterwards, at which point the size of pro-Tibetan and human rights protests are anyone's guess.

I am actually quite in support of tying this particular issue to an event that draws the world's attention. I would normally consider a seperation between politics and sport the proper thing to do, but in this particular case, the Tibetan movement has been overshadowed by concerns in the Middle East and Africa, where the human rights issues seem to have been more prominent to average Western citizens. I don't think the "Free Tibet" movement is any less important that anywhere else in the world, and having all eyes on China this summer, who are under the looking glass from the international community, will be healthy in bringing attention to the issue.

If anyone is surprised at the protests, I really am not. Politics have often been tied the Olympics, such as Berlin hosting the 1936 games, the 1972 Israeli Massacre, and the US boycotting the 1980 Games in Moscow. Nothing new here.

04-09-2008, 08:31 AM	#1
Ozy_Flame Posted the 6 millionth post! Join Date: Feb 2002 Exp:	Alright, let's Address the Olympic Torch Relay Don't think I saw it brought up anywhere, so I'll create a new thread. What does everyone think about the protests being held in each city so far for the Olympic Torch Relay? London was the spark to bring out the masses, and Paris and San Francisco quickly followed suit. And they've got another 20 countries to visit afterwards, at which point the size of pro-Tibetan and human rights protests are anyone's guess. I am actually quite in support of tying this particular issue to an event that draws the world's attention. I would normally consider a seperation between politics and sport the proper thing to do, but in this particular case, the Tibetan movement has been overshadowed by concerns in the Middle East and Africa, where the human rights issues seem to have been more prominent to average Western citizens. I don't think the "Free Tibet" movement is any less important that anywhere else in the world, and having all eyes on China this summer, who are under the looking glass from the international community, will be healthy in bringing attention to the issue. If anyone is surprised at the protests, I really am not. Politics have often been tied the Olympics, such as Berlin hosting the 1936 games, the 1972 Israeli Massacre, and the US boycotting the 1980 Games in Moscow. Nothing new here.