The Death Of Sports: Olympic Torch Edition

by Alejandro de los Rios

First impressions are hard. Usually forced, awkward, with all parties just wishing they could somehow just skip getting to know each other and just know each other. You know? Some first impressions are perfect, most are awkward, while some are just completely disasterous. With that in mind, what better way to start our relationship than by discussing the geopolitical turbulence caused by China’s human rights violations and continuing persecution of Tibet?

While it might be more convenient to believe that sports and politics don’t mix, it’s been proven time and again that this isn’t the case. Regardless, hasn’t this Olympic torch thing gotten just a bit out of hand? Growing up as a kid, the idea of a torch being run across the world was cool — a flame representing all that is good in sports run across the world for everyone to see. What are kids today thinking when they see that the torch has to be extinguished by Olympic officials to keep from being put out by protesters? Just imagine that exchange between kid and parent:

Kid: Parent, why are those people protesting the torch?

Parent: Well, you see kid, the Olympics are in China this year, a country with a long and controversial history dealing with human rights abuses. The protesters are angry that China was selected to host what is supposed to be an international exhibition of peace, amnesty and charity through sport. They want their governments to boycott the Olympics altogether.

Kid: Parent, isn’t that hypocritical of those people to be so angry at the Chinese when many of them use Chinese-manufactured products every day? Moreover, who are they to decided the fate of the hundreds of athletes that have trained their whole lives to compete on that stage? Can’t the athletes decide for themselves how they wish to address the issues at hand, whether through their performance or other forms of expression?

Parent: Well, kid, China’s recent exportation boom — especially in the information technology and textile industries — has made it almost impossible for people to go completely without Chinese products. But they feel that protesting an otherwise peaceful and politically neutral ceremony will make up for their consumer sins. Furthermore, athletes can’t decide for themselves to protest because it would jeopardize their relationships with their sponsors, many of which have lucrative ties to the Chinese labor industry.

Kid: Parent, does that mean that millions of Chinese and Tibetans are doomed to live impoverished and oppressed lives because deals our government and leading corporations made with known human rights violator in order to increase profits and secure their own financial interests?

Parent: Yes, kid. And what do we call that?

Kid: Capitalism?

Parent: Very good. Now let’s buy you that new pair of sneakers you’ve been wanting.

Yea, parenthood is hard.