An Olympics of Mixed Emotions

I have heard some people say they are going to boycott watching these Olympics because they are being held in China. There are many reasons why people are turning their backs on these Olympics. Some are angry about China’s record of human rights violations, particularly their policy on Tibet. Others dislike China because they are one of the world’s biggest polluters. Others see China as a throwback Communist superpower and a nuclear threat. These are all valid reasons to dislike and mistrust China.

I recall that the policy of the Carter Administration was to have US Athletes boycott the Moscow Olympics in 1980 because of the Soviet Union’s involvement in Afghanistan, who ironically at that time was a US ally. The Soviet Union’s tit for tat measure was to boycott the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. The only purpose these boycotts served was to deprive the athletes of their hard earned opportunity to compete against the best in pursuit of their personal bests and Olympic dreams.

The athletes participating in these games and their families have worked and sacrificed to get to these Olympic Games. This world event only happens once every four years. This might be their only shot. If the world is to learn anything from the tragedy in Munich and the boycotts in the 1980’s, it is not to make the Olympics political. This event is on a world stage to showcase and honor the athletes and their sports, not to forward political agendas. It’s not about the flags, it’s about the people.

Good Luck to all the Competitors

Appeal for the Olympic Truce

The International Olympic Committee,

Considering

the frequency of conflicts which seriously affect the lives and future of the youth of the world;

Faithful

to the mission which it has assigned itself, namely to contribute to peace;

Anxious

in this respect to restore the Ancient Greek tradition of EKECHEIRIA” or “Olympic Truce Pledge”

Calls on

- all States (their Heads, governments and assemblies);

- all international and national organizations;

to decide that:

1. During the period from the 7th day before the opening of the Olympic Games until the 7th day after the end of these Games, the “Olympic Truce” shall be observed;

2. During the Olympic Truce dedicated, as in Ancient Greece, to the spirit of brotherhood and understanding between peoples, all initiatives shall be taken and all group or individual efforts made to begin and continue to achieve by peaceful means the settlement of conflicts, whether or not of

an international nature, with a view to establishing peace;

3. During the period, all armed conflicts, and any acts related to, inspired by or akin to such conflicts, shall cease, whatever the reason, cause or means of perpetration thereof.

Done in Barcelona, 21 July 1992