The Olympics: never just about sport

Some protestors in the U.S. petitioned to their government to boycott the Beijing Games. In early April, the Japanese royal family announced they would not attend the Opening Ceremony and even the President of Taiwan Ma Ying-Jeou also threatened not to attend the event because of the demonstrations that were happening in Tibet. Furthermore, the Olympic torch relay was not spared from disruption by protestors.

As an avid viewer of the Olympics, I always hoped that countries and people would not use the Games as a podium to promote their own political stances because it incites further differences. The Olympics is about bringing all members of the international community together.

Of course, the Olympics are not an instant remedy for all the problems, conflicts and political tensions happening in the world. The Olympics wants to teach us to work together, encourages countries and people to interact and engage in cultural exchange. Through these interactions, we would not build barriers but build bridges.

It is disappointing that the spirit of the Olympics is desecrated by our own selfish actions but at the same time we always cry out for world peace. This goal is still very far away from our reach. For now, we should work on curing our own political short-sightedness first.