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Hu Says Attempts to Politicize Beijing Olympic Games Won't Work

Y

yuanhun

Guest
Hu Says Attempts to Politicize Beijing Olympic Games Won't Work

By Dune Lawrence

Aug. 1 (Bloomberg) -- China's President Hu Jintao said attempts to politicize the Beijing Olympics undermine the spirit of the games, downplaying criticism over press freedom and human rights.

China has worked to make its ``long-cherished dream'' of hosting the games an opportunity to promote the Asian nation's own development and improve its environment, as well as stage a successful sporting event, Hu said in a rare press briefing one week before the Olympic opening ceremony.

``It is inevitable that people from different countries and regions may not see eye to eye with one another on different issues,'' Hu told reporters in Beijing in a televised meeting. ``I don't think politicizing the Olympic Games will do anything good to address any of these issues.''

China is facing accusations that it has not lived up to pledges to ensure free media reporting, clean up pollution and improve its human rights record.
 

Ramseth

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Politicization of the Olympics has never worked. The last time it was done on a big scale was 1980-84, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984. Criss-cross and cross-sword of boycotts by NATO nations and the old Warsaw Pact nations. Did work or achieve anything? Resounding no. Only sport was the loser.

Another non-Olympic event that was politicized was the banning of Yugoslavia from Euro 1992. Almost comically, Denmark (which didn't qualify in the first place) was slotted in place of Yugoslavia, and went on to become Euro champs.

Anyway, my personal feeling towards athletes or nations who link politics to sports is one of disappointment and sadness. My greatest respect to Olympians like Lord (Sebastian) Coe and company, who ignored the British government call for boycott in 1980 and went to Moscow anyway, coming back with some great moments and medals, in the sporting spirit.
 
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