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Misplaced Punishment

The Hot Corner

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: May 24, 2008

With the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics now only 75 days off, the dreaded and not-so-unfamiliar B-word is once again being mentioned by a few invited nations looking to make a statement on one of the world's biggest stages.

That word, of course, is boycott – the political tact used by nations wishing to show their displeasure with either the game's host, or just something they don't agree with in the world.

So, even despite this year's uprising in Tibet, it should surprise no one that an Olympic Games held in the tight-lipped, communist People's Republic would lead to a few ruffled feathers around the globe.

Since the first official boycott of the 1956 Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia, 105 invited nations have decided to stay at home in protest for one reason or another. Their have been four total – 1956, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984. The largest of these came 28 years ago for the Moscow Games that saw – led by the United States – 62 countries snub their noses at the Soviets for their invasion of Afghanistan.

It can certainly be argued that Olympic boycotts help raise pointed awareness to a specific cause or crisis, but exactly how much and to who's cost?

The '80 and '84 events were classic Cold War-theater maneuvers between two superpowers and their allies, but the Cold War was going on since the end of World War II. The statements made by not participating in each other's Games didn't exactly open any blind eyes to the posture of the world.

The only constant, guaranteed outcome that results from any boycott is the unintended punishment of athletes who have prepared four years or longer for their moment in the sun.

Currently there have been B-word murmurings from France, Canada, the U.S. and other scheduled participants who have grown increasingly cool to China's numerous human rights issues in question. Certain organizations, like Reporters Without Borders, and celebrities from around the world have also jumped on the boycott bandwagon.

While it is typically assumed that those harping for action are doing so with good intentions only – chastising a nation they feel needs held accountable for its actions – they don't seem to take into account the affects on the athletes whose lifelong dreams may be dashed for good.

In an ABC News article written by Anne-Marie Dorning published March 24, former 1980 Olympic-hopeful swimmer Glenn Mills related an accurate comparison for countries, individuals and celebrities who feel the need to advocate boycotts.

"Too many governing bodies see Olympians as expendable, but those athletes will only have one shot," Mills said. "Everybody has a cause, and those causes are valid but people want the athletes to take a stand. I say if those big powerful movie stars who have made billions of dollars are asking people to boycott the opening ceremonies then I would ask them not to make another movie for four years, these athletes only get one shot every four years. The only things swimmers should be worried about during the games is whether or not their suit is tied on the block."

It's the basic argument of abject hypocrisy that tends to come along with outsiders condemning whatever it is they are condemning at the moment. He's also exactly right.

Not at all to be poking fun, but when and where else will handballers, table tennis players, archers or fencers ever get a chance to be recognized for what they do on that scale?

While some of the aforementioned nations that have floated the idea of boycotting prefaced many of their remarks by saying they may only pull athletes from the Aug. 8 Opening Ceremonies, I think everyone needs to take a step back and look at what the Games are intended to be held for.

That would at least let the athletes participate in their events, but the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are also supposed to be amazing, memorable spectacles to be part of. A portion of the Olympic Dream these competitors have held for years.

The Games are a time to set aside political differences, celebrate world-class athletics and pretend – at least for two weeks – that we call truly live, work and play as one.

Maybe that's what should be focused on all along.

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