-- Posted by Silence of Thought at 1:46 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 Prior to the Olympics, I've heard many people speak of not participating as athletes and fans, resisting Olympics merchandise, and avoiding media coverage of the Olympics in order to protest Chinese human rights abuses. I believe that we should participate in the Olympics like we usually do, and not cut off our support for the Olympics. As you all should know, the Olympics has its roots in ancient Greece, where every four years the various city-states of Greece set aside their quarrels, grudges, and even postponed wars in the Olympian truce. All city-states would honor this truce so competitors and spectators from all corners of Greece could safely travel to and stay in Olympia to represent and support their native city. The Olympics should serve the same purpose today, except instead of Greek city-states we have the nations of the world. The Olympics ought to be a place for athletic competition, not a place to bring animosity, political statements, or any other international issues. Besides, such a boycott would certainly be a bad move (especially for the United States) in terms of international policy, since China is a CRIB/BRIC country and is a prominent commerce partner. Opinions? -- Posted by Arcarius at 1:48 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 Agreed. Agreed. Agreed.i ijijfopdpgjpdigdgdgdgrg -- Posted by allsmiles at 6:22 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 I agree. I've boycotted people who boycott the olympics, much to some of my friends' disgust. -- Posted by fedoragirl at 7:07 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 I see no real reason to boycott it! We're hated enough as it is. PS: In regards to the treatment of Tibet, I still feel that boycotting would not bring the right sort of attention to the issue.  If the US {and other countries} really care about what China has done, they should have taken action a long time ago.  I'm not saying it's too late, I just don't think boycotting during the Olympics would be the right way to send the message. -- Posted by Uruz 7 at 8:49 pm on Aug. 8, 2008 As far as the Olympics itself is concerned, it should be supported regardless of who is hosting it - That is to preserve the spirit that is all what its about. . . Nevertheless, anything beyond the Olympics - yeah  . .Chian should get thrashed for putting such an extravagant show while they are so crappy at wiping their mouths in every other aspect. In some ways, its as if the hosts themselves are insulting the Olympics, but the spirit itself is what should be preserved, so hate the hosts, but play the game . . -- Posted by Blackadder at 5:21 pm on Aug. 12, 2008 Should a country actually boycott, I'd feel so sorry for their atheletes... Personally, I don't think much good would come of it --- it would have been far better to award the games to another country back when they decided who would host 2008.... In anycase, I watched the Judo....suprise suprise, no UK medal, damn we suck at Judo.   -- Posted by Midnight Frost at 8:32 am on Aug. 13, 2008 Like I've read in a certain article, we're only going to end up having the Chinese youth resent the rest of the world if boycotts occur. Not all of them will totally understand why it's happening, and if they even deserve it. It's not going to be pretty in the future if ties are strained like this. Where's the Olympic spirit? Not to say that I'm supporting their press censorship though. -- Posted by holysaiyan1 at 8:11 pm on Aug. 14, 2008 Quote: from Midnight Frost at 11:32 am on Aug. 13, 2008 Like I've read in a certain article, we're only going to end up having the Chinese youth resent the rest of the world if boycotts occur. Not all of them will totally understand why it's happening, and if they even deserve it. It's not going to be pretty in the future if ties are strained like this. Where's the Olympic spirit? Not to say that I'm supporting their press censorship though. Aw, their widdle feelings will be hurt if a country decided to boycott?  Poor them. Beijing was a horrible choice for an Olympic city.  In between its downright poisonous pollution, the thousands of Chinese whom were made homeless by their government to make room for the Olympic Village, and the downright lack of respect the Chinese government has for its citizens, this year's Olympics was a sham.  I wish that at one least country had the balls to protest China's human rights record, but unfortunately none did.  Notice how the announcers fall over themselves to praise the Chinese government, and how any news of China's involvement in the Darfur genocide or the situation in Tibet is no longer reported.  Follow the money, it leads down the river to authoritarian, state-over-individual China. That said, London will be much better!