ABC News reports:
International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Thomas Bach says a number of top athletes are considering boycotting the games in China over the bloody crackdown on protesters in Tibet.
"Several sports stars are feeling ill at ease when they think about the Olympic Games. Some are even considering cancelling," Mr Bach, of Germany, told Sunday's edition of the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
Mr Bach said he understood the athletes' concerns about the situation in Tibet but said he was advising them to participate.
"They will realise when they assess the situation that it is better to make an appearance than to stay away. That is a symbol that will be noticed by the public," he said.
To read more:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/16/2190934.htm?section=world
If the Olympic athletes boycott the Beijing Olympics then the Olympics should be eliminated altogether. Much of the Olympic symbols were originate by Hitler and Olympics have been held in countries with far worse foreign policies than China. China's involvement in Tibet appears to be one of restoring order rather than locking everyone up. The athletes should decide whether or not they are athletes or politicians. The Olympic committee should be thankful that Beijing will host the Olympics. As a resident of Atlanta in 1996 , I can tell you that the Olympics did as much damage to Atlanta as it did good. Prices on housing went up for one thing. Also, a lot of immigrants moved in and when the Olympics left the low wage jobs dried up leaving many unemployed. All the money was made in the years leading up to the Olympics with all the hype. After the Olympics it was basically a bust. Now there are still old Olympic artifacts rusting around the city. A few people got rich but for the average person in Atlanta, they saw prices increase and jobs become more scarce. The international prestige is gained at a cost.
Posted by: FINANCE1 | March 21, 2008 at 08:01 AM