What do you think of the instrumentalisation of sport for political ends?

Although it may feel surprising and shocking, the phenomenon is not novel. Remember: 1936 and the boycott of the Berlin Olympics by some Jewish athletes, 1972 and the Palestinian terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics, 1980 and the boycott of the Moscow Olympics to protest against the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan… Terrorist at the Munich Olympics, September 1972

Some interesting articles and press reviews:

• 27 March press review by Eutotopics, reviewing French, German, Swiss and Polish national newspapers. Eurotopics is available in English, French and German!
• "Verlogene Ohnmacht" in Die Zeit, 27 March, where Christof Siemes explains "The Olympic family, as it likes to call itself, must finally admit that it does indeed possess political power".
• Article on sport and international relations in Septemeber 2007 on Sport Vox: "Sport et relations internationales" by Mad Martigan.
• Interesting note on sport and politics from 2000, by Arnaud Parienty, on the publication of "Sport et Politique" - Paris : Hermès Science Publications, 2000. 

Let's not forget about the Olympic spirit

The Olympic Games is the most important, international multi-sport event. Besides this, the Olympics are one of the largest media events. In my view, it is not surprising that radical movements use the Games as a means to promote their views. They could not get more extensive coverage in any other way. The problem is that scandals get bigger promotion than the event itself. The Games should bring people together in peace to respect universal moral principles and help promote the Olympic spirit.  It has unfortunately become just another venue for political grandstanding and economic opportunism, whereas it should focus on contest, respect of each other, sport, togetherness, champions…

Why  the sudden interest in the fate of Tibet anyway? They've been under occupation since 1950 and except for a number of dedicated long-term protestors, most have not given them a second thought until now. Probably, the current indignation will fade within days of the closing ceremony…   

Personally, I am not against demonstrators who fight for human rights in China, but it would be better to read about the preparation of sportsmen or re-watching the movie "Chariots of Fire". Judit Boros, Hungary 

Do not misuse the symbol of the Olympics

When we think about the Olympic Games, first ideas that used to cross our minds were sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play, and I'll also dare to say nobility.  But today, when someone mentions the Olympics it is hardly possible not to think about ugly things that are recently happening in the world, wherever the Olympic torch is passing trough, and about bloody pictures that have perambulated the world lately.

In my opinion it is sad that these things are happening and that they are connected to such a positive event as the Olympic Games. On the other hand, demonstrators who fight for human rights in China have all the right to demonstrate and fight for their goals, but still their means are totally opposite from what they are promoting and trying to achieve. If by disrupting Olympic torch they are trying to battle for human rights, I’m not sure how human is their apprehension of human rights at all?  

From my point of view the whole Olympics’ spirit and atmosphere should not be misused, and I think this is exactly what is happening here. Therefore, all the athletes of the world, emphasizing that they are the best ones from all over the world, should not be punished for someone’s bad politics. Selma Mezetovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The fight for human rights should not interfere with the Olympics

I believe that it is very disturbing that in the 21st century we are still dealing with the problem of human rights violation. It is discouraging that besides all the institutions protecting human rights and campaigns advocating their protection there are still people who have their rights denied. 

Tibet is not the only one having this problem and there are other peoples, nations and ethnic groups who are faced with the same problem. It is sad that an event like the Olympic Games which has such a long tradition of bringing people closer and promoting sports, health and good spirit is spoiled in this way. On the other hand however those people are trying to make the world hear them and it is understandable that they are using an opportunity like this one, with extensive media coverage, to attract people’s attention and change their position. 

The issue of human rights protection is the one that the world should give close attention to every day and not let that it interferes with events of a completely different purpose and goal. Tatjana Slijepcevic, Bosnia and Herzegovina  

Closing your eyes on human rights violation for the sake of economic interests

It was an undeniable mistake of the International Olympics Committee to hand the 2008 Summer Olympics to a non-democratic country like China, well-known around the world for violating human rights, favouring child labour, forced abortions, cultural and ethnical cleansing in its different regions. What happened in Tibet on March 10, when Buddhist monks organised peaceful marches to protest against the ‘cultural genocide’ by the Chinese government, followed by massive arrests by the police leading to riots along with bloodshed and repression, was no surprise to any one who has some knowledge about politics in this country.

Recently, China, with its aggressive economic but repressive social policies, has been receiving worldwide attention not just for its economic and business success or military power but also for its investments contributing to the social unrest in Sudan and other parts of Africa. Many developed or developing countries have been willing to establish close allies with China to get their share from this enormous pie to ease their own economic failures at home, ignoring what is going on in Tibet or inside China where there is no respect for human values.  

It is sad to see the Olympic Games, which are a symbol of world peace, brotherhood and solidarity among nations, have been transformed into a kind of political tool in the hands of certain countries to achieve their economic interests. Feyza Basar, Turkey

The Olympics are the wrong place to fight political battles

I think that behind each big event in the world politics are involved, because people try to use the dimension of an event to spread their opinion. I think that is exactly what is happening in Tibet and China.  We are all aware of the strength and importance of the Olympic Games and that is why we should keep the main idea of the Olympics which is to get people from all parts of the world together, to share the Olympic spirit and try to keep it far away from politics!  

I don't think that the Olympic Games are the right way to fight political battles. I agree that people should fight for their rights, but in other ways. They should use some policy instruments to fight, like elections, or other democratic assets to keep and protect their human rights. Selma Music, Bosnia and Herzegovina