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Tora wrote:

wllsp wrote:Yesterday I watched a CNN report about somewhat serious problems that organaziers of the event had in Paris. I should say that I am really impressed. People wanted to show disagreement and they came out and demonstrated it event though there were a lot of policemen guarding the flame.

What is your attitude towards it, wllsp?

Call me ignorant, but I don't feel we should mess up politics and sport.
The Olympics has always been something very magical and extremely beautiful. I believe there must be some other ways of protesting in the beginning of the 21st century, otherwise what one giant leap for mankind have we made from the barbarian times?

Athletes are mostly funded by governmental organizations. In some countries they are required to have permission from the government before they could represent their country to compete oversea. There are all kind of benefits the government would give the athletes if they bring home a gold metal. If there was no politics involved, what left is non-profit organizations and as we all know how much money they can get to feed the athletes. Or there are some private organizations left that are sponsored by wealthy businessmen. The thing is that those organizations are also involved with the government in some ways. Therefore, the government would become a third-party here. It's hard to find a sport free of politics.

Guys, don't make me look stupid more than I really am. I'm quite good informed that national sport teams are likely to be sponsored by government and try hard and sweat their guts out not only for the prestige of the motherland but also for the sugnificant monetary reward. Sportsmen deserve to be honoured on their way of the Olympic flame, for what they do, for their efforts and years spent developing their skills. And when they, as a part of the Olympics, are insulted or if there are any attempts of trying to put out the fire - this is a disrespect for the sportsmen. Why have they deserved it - I don't know.

Sorry, Tora. There was no intention to make you look stupid or anything like that. Just wanted to state that sports is not as clean as you expect it should be, though. That's why we have all sorts of cheating and doping at the Olympics. To some athletes this is more than just a game or a competition. This is a lifetime opportunity to get their fame and wealth. The world will be watching their performance; their faces will be well-known. And think of many contracts will knock on their doors after they have a medal in their bags.... Even if they don't win a medal, their career will turn into a brighter path. It's us who put so much value in the Olympics that it's no longer just a sport event for most athletes or a competition to test their strength. The Olympics is a part of their lives as like sports is their lives. It seems like most people take their lives really seriously and they can't seem to have fun?????

Tora wrote:

wllsp wrote:Yesterday I watched a CNN report about somewhat serious problems that organaziers of the event had in Paris. I should say that I am really impressed. People wanted to show disagreement and they came out and demonstrated it event though there were a lot of policemen guarding the flame.

What is your attitude towards it, wllsp?

Call me ignorant, but I don't feel we should mess up politics and sport.
The Olympics has always been something very magical and extremely beautiful. I believe there must be some other ways of protesting in the beginning of the 21st century, otherwise what one giant leap for mankind have we made from the barbarian times?

Well, recall the olympic games in Moscow in 1982. On one hand there were a lot of beautiful things. Personally I was really touched by the ceremony at the end of the game and espesially by the song that was sang when the giant beer was lifted in the air. It was sort of very emotional to me. On the other hand I remember that the authorities had done a lot before and during the game. For example they relocated some people from Moscow in order to create a better image of the USSR. As for this games I think that the Chinese authorities to some extent have been doing that was done in the USSR in 1980. They are beautifying the situation.

As for your question I think the protesters have been quite adequate in that they are doing. I mean they protests when there is special attention to their protests. I think it is quite logical. It seems one of their goals is to make more people around the world aware of the situation in Tibet. Moreover I'm sure they are preparing something like demonstrations or other forms of protests for August, 2008 also.

Tora wrote: The Olympics has always been something very magical and extremely beautiful.

By the way, I have just read about actions that had been taken be people whose houses will be destroyed in Sochi because of the Olympics games. If it is true it's just another urgly story.