It's been years since I've had any interest in the Olympics. I watched the Barcelona Olympics because I had been in Spain first hand watching all the preparations for the event. Granted, I was like 12, so it was an entirely different perspective than I have now.
As I was on the elliptical, huffing and puffing away, secretly wishing that I had the body of any woman on that beach volleyball team, I noticed the background and what looked like it was a cloudy day in Beijing. Then I remembered; those aren't clouds, thats smog! I had seen a piece on the news about how nobody is expecting any records to be broken in any kind of endurance sport due to the poor air quality in China. In fact, athletes are putting their health at risk by competing in such events.
I wonder what compelled the Olympic committee to give Beijing the honor to host the Olympics. Was it their incredible record on human rights? Or was it their impeccable environmental policies? They say this is giving the Chinese an opportunity to "showcase" their country, yet I don't see what they can show off. Tall buildings, a few large stadiums and a "booming" economy. Thats nothing special, if you ask me. I say, give it to a country that deserves it rather than a country that continues to oppress their citizens, pollute the planet with no regard to the rest of the world, and supply us with low quality, tainted junk.
On another note..... I thought the synchronized mens diving teams looked super hot in those teeny speedos and ripped bodies. Then they showed the slow motion repeat of the dive. For some reason, they just didn't look quite so appealing after that:
And this isnt even the "bad" angle
Having visited China, and Beijing in particular, I'd have to say that I think it has a lot to offer. Granted, you are focusing on national issues, but that aside, to dismiss a country and say that it has nothing to offer simultaneously dismisses the people and the culture. There is something to be said about seeing a people and culture firsthand.
ReplyDeleteRegarding "worthy" countries, that is so subjective. I know about the human rights and environmental wrongdoings of the Chinese government, but how can we choose a country to sponsor the Olympics on a scale of their "worthiness"? Every country have things their government could handle better, but I don't think we (and who, really, are the "we" in that? The West? And we dictate what's right and wrong?) should place such an subjective issue on a scale.
But you're right; the divers are hot. :)
China definately has a lot to showcase in terms of culture and beauty. However, from what I have seen on the news and the Olympics, the government is taking this as an opportunity to show off what they have achieved as a society, rather than the culture and history that the country has to offer. The point I was trying to make is that they have advanced economically at the expense of their people. Granted, we in the Western world (especially Americans) have this perception that we set the standards as to what is right and wrong, but there is no denying that the Chinese government has a horrible reputation when it comes to human rights. Giving them the distinction of hosting the Olympics is almost as if we are condoning their actions.
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