Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The rape of the Olympic spirit

By Arthur Thomas - posted Friday, 8 August 2008


As China shifted the goal posts, the IOC has appeared to ignore their responsibility and duty of care for the health of athletes, support staff, media and spectators alike.

Surely, with such high profile international movers and shakers on the IOC, this apparent conspiracy could not be an exercise in covering up ineptitude and political unpleasantness! Is it possible that the foregoing is all wrong? Or, is it possible that corruption and reckless behaviour once again is plaguing the IOC.

A commitment made by China as part of the conditions to host the 2008 Olympics, was the use of the Olympics to improve the rights of its citizens. As far back as ancient Greece, the Olympic Spirit has a history of protecting human rights and preventing discrimination. These now form an integral part of the modern day Olympics and are enshrined in Principle 5 of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism. As a signatory to international human rights conventions, China has an overriding commitment to meet this obligation. There is undeniable evidence of blatant acts of discrimination by China in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Games. These are not only against spectators (foreign and local) and media but athletes qualified to participate as well.

Advertisement

China's blatant discrimination against, and the abuse of Tibetans, Uighurs, Mongols of Inner Mongolians and many minority groups, is in direct breach of its obligations.

Whatever the motivation behind the "conspiracy", China and the IOC appear to have acted in concert to dishonestly and recklessly engineer means for China to avoid IOC penalties at the expense of key principles of the Olympic spirit. The cost has been the credibility, independence and non politicisation of the true spirit of the Olympic Games.

Such apparent reckless and dishonest acts could question the integrity, credibility and honesty of the IOC itself. In the event of apparent breaches of its own clearly defined obligations, could the members of the IOC be considered as fit and responsible persons charged to continue to carry out their duty in an unbiased and fair manner. Is there any future in the Olympic institution for officials who chose to ignore their responsibilities at such cost?

The reckless charge for mianji at the expense of the principles of the Olympic movement has resulted in diu lian (loss of face) for China and its government exposed for all to see on the international stage.

Diu lian for China has been the direct result of apparent continued blatant abuse of the individual as well as the manipulation of data designed to protect health and denigration of the spirit of the Olympics. This unfortunately reflects on the millions of ordinary Chinese who have made great personal sacrifices, including personal freedom (or whose personal freedom has been involuntarily sacrificed) in order to bring "honour and respect" to China in staging the 2008 Olympics.

How did it happen? Can the answer to the reckless behaviour by China's Communist Government be found in the teachings of Sun Tzu and the CCP principles?

Advertisement

For the PLA Obeying the Party comes before defending the country.

Deception requires initial diplomatic offensives to pre-empt … action to justify its action or to veil its true intentions.

It is even possible that Australian politician Senator Bob Brown was right in suggesting in a recent TV forum that Zimbabwe, Darfur and similar repressive dictatorships may be granted the right to host future Games. This should present no problems if the IOC signs off on an agreement with unenforceable "flexible" conditions as for Beijing.

Should the Games fail to live up to expectations for whatever reasons, (such as the dust storm at the same time last year) the Central Propaganda Department is ready with a massive well prepared media response laying the blame on the destructive, vindictive and anti Chinese western media, the evil and dangerous Dalai Lama and his terrorist clique, and all the rights groups for politicising and undermining China's unprecedented and glorious commitment to stage the most expensive and spectacular Olympic games in history.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. 4
  6. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

16 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Arthur Thomas is retired. He has extensive experience in the old Soviet, the new Russia, China, Central Asia and South East Asia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Arthur Thomas

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 16 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy