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| Beijing Olympics- cause for concern? (Long..) (Read 159 times) |
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posted: 3/26/2008 at 6:09 PM |
I would like to say first of all that I realize this may be a controversial topic, I have asked Eric's permission to open the discussion, and i hope all who contribute will avoid personal remarks, and keep the discussion civil.
I should also say that I have been a dedicated watcher of the Olympics since my late teens, when I was a university student in residence two doors down from an Olympic calibre swimmer. (I grew up in Rhodesia and he was not able to compete because of the political situation.)
I have become somewhat cynical about the Olympic movement because of the erosion, as I see it, of the core values of amateur competition in the spirit of international friendship. I have recently read a book by Dick Pound "Inside the Olympics", and have the greatest respect for his knowledge, intelligence and personal integrity; but must add that I do not always agree with him.
Points:
1) In my view the athletes have not been true amateurs since Avery Brundage was President of the IOC. This matters because wealthier nations can support professional athletes through television revenues and product endorsement contracts and gain an advatage over poorer nations, e.g. US basketball "dream team".
2) I feel that in spite of efforts by WADA doping is out of control. Countries do not apply equal penalties to athletes caught cheating, and nor do different sports apply equal penalties. Recent developments in Major League Baseball, the Marion Jones episode and a long history of abuse going back to the 1980's show that doping is deeply entrenched in US athletics, it is clear that in Europe cyclists cannot be the only dopers, and China is known as a major market for banned substances such as HGH, Nandrolone and synthetic testosterone. I am expecting an unusual haul of medals by the host nation, and not all of them in table tennis!
3) French President Sarkoczsy (sp?) has mentioned the possibility of a political boycott against China as host of the games. Other nations within the French sphere of influence may be pressured to support this, e.g. Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, maybe some European Economic Community countries.
4) Commercial inroads by advertisers who make huge payments to tv networks which in turn pay millions for television rights are changing the atmosphere from "track meet" to "Superbowl". On the other hand we do get great coverage; if we had to rely on the national broadcaster of the host nation imagine what we would see!
5) The recent spate of world records in swimming indicate to me that the new suits give enough of a technical/psychological advantage that athletes whose nations cannot afford them, or whose commercial sponsorship contracts prohibit their use, will be at a serious disadvantage. Some of these records have been set by swimmers from nations like Australia, a known powerhouse swimming nation, (2 records in the last week) but others from less obvious sources, France, Germany and Holland.
6) Various "marginal" sports like BMX, trampoline and white water canoeing, and a number of sports where scoring is judgement based, like diving, figure skating, boxing, some gymnastics, synchronised swimming etc. detract from the more essential sports that form the core of athletic competition, and appear to be included to improve revenue.
7) China's bid to host the games should have been rejected because rain may be expected to delay outdoor events, air quality may be expected to pose health problems for many sports, not just running, cycling and swimming but rowing, basketball, wrestling, possibly even the horses in equestrian events. I am suspicious that the bribery and corruption seen in the selection of Salt Lake City has not been eliminated from the selection process, Dick Pound's reassurances notwithstanding.
Overall, I am still looking forward to the spectacle, and the moments of drama, but I will not be able to watch Tyson Gay race Asafa Powell in the 100m without wondering what the result might be if every runner was clean.
Please give your opinions, and the reasoning supporting them. Lets keep it civil!
Thanks! Simon. |
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posted: 3/26/2008 at 7:50 PM |
Interesting post Simon. I enjoy watching the Olympics but have always considered the most of the athletes as non amateurs in certain sports (track, basketball, hockey, and so on) since they have had ways around the pay issues using charitable trusts and foundations for decades and frankly the Olympics have been a political football since the reinception of the modern games. If they can change the distance of a race (the marathon) so that it makes it easier for a royal to watch then all bets are off.
Its interesting how technology can change competition but these things only last so long. Once they become common, then it reverts back to athletic talent. Look at the great African runners and how people emmulated their trianing. The gap closed and then grew as additional training ideas were put in place.
Bejing will be odd for many reasons from political to the air quality. Already the marathon will not have a couple of superstars running due to the possible adverse impacts. As every four years, I will watch and enjoy seeing elite athletes compete. As with lots of other sports, it is now a BIG business and that seems to drive many of the decisions/options for the viewer.
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Illegitimis non carborundum
2008 goals:
1) run a fall marathon (Indy)
2) stay injury free
3) PR 5K, 10K, HM & M
4) get my kids to start running with me
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