2021 Olympics
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,447
Originally Posted by wiggy
It's a tough one, I have zero sympathy for the sponsors but can understand those with a perhaps <10 year window to make money out of their abilities/careers wanting to press on.
The sole reason why the Olympics are happening this year is to line the pockets of the IOC. Sensible decision would be to scrap them.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 123
I think the larger question surrounding the Olympic Games pertains to the 2022 games in Beijing. China’s transgressions in the last few years are more numerous than time allows me to expound upon here. But briefly, in the last couple of years we have seen two Australian journalists being visited by Chinese authorities with at least one of them forced to do a runner out of the country. Canada’s two “Michaels” detained for over two years now. And of course the persecution, and some might say genocide, of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
In my view, the IOC should be busy choosing alternate venues for the games, not replicating the spectacle in Berlin in 1936. By that time, it was well known what Hitler’s regime was all about and Avery Brundage dutifully went in and produced the requisite whitewash in order that the IOC’s cherished games proceed.
Mrs Taco and I have been avid followers of the Olympic skiing and skating events over the decades, but if nothing changes we’ll be giving it a pass. It would be the height of hypocrisy to sit and enjoy the events together with all the international bonhomie while the Uyghurs are just down the road in Xi’s version of Sachsenhausen and with the two Michaels potentially still in jail. Personally, I’m not very sanguine about the games being moved. The IOC is shameless and even our own feckless Prime Minister refused to take a stand - he withdrew his caucus from the House of Commons before a vote to censure Beijing was held, rather than stand on principle.
In my view, the IOC should be busy choosing alternate venues for the games, not replicating the spectacle in Berlin in 1936. By that time, it was well known what Hitler’s regime was all about and Avery Brundage dutifully went in and produced the requisite whitewash in order that the IOC’s cherished games proceed.
Mrs Taco and I have been avid followers of the Olympic skiing and skating events over the decades, but if nothing changes we’ll be giving it a pass. It would be the height of hypocrisy to sit and enjoy the events together with all the international bonhomie while the Uyghurs are just down the road in Xi’s version of Sachsenhausen and with the two Michaels potentially still in jail. Personally, I’m not very sanguine about the games being moved. The IOC is shameless and even our own feckless Prime Minister refused to take a stand - he withdrew his caucus from the House of Commons before a vote to censure Beijing was held, rather than stand on principle.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,447
Commander Taco:
I too have far more interest in the winter games and don't believe Beijing is not a good place to hold the games, neither was Sochi. Not for political reasons, you could argue against the USA holding games because of their treatment of minorities, use of the death penalty or gun laws. Principally because they highlight how much more its about 'the money' and corruption within the IOC than the sport.
I will enjoy 2022 for the sport, but if the Olympics were never held again I would lose no sleep.
I too have far more interest in the winter games and don't believe Beijing is not a good place to hold the games, neither was Sochi. Not for political reasons, you could argue against the USA holding games because of their treatment of minorities, use of the death penalty or gun laws. Principally because they highlight how much more its about 'the money' and corruption within the IOC than the sport.
I will enjoy 2022 for the sport, but if the Olympics were never held again I would lose no sleep.
JetBlast member 2005.
JetBlast member 2006.
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JetBlast member 2006.
Banned 2007
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The US of A - sort of
Posts: 9
what do you think Ancient Greece was like?
I mean it did sort of do quite a lot of the type of things we now think that doing them means a country shouldn't hold the games
Plus all the original events were basically warfare, chucking hammers, lobbing spears, chasing after people
Personally I couldn't give a sh1t about the Olympics and think they cost an insane amount of money that probably never gets earned back. I think Greece started it ... they should be forced to hold them every four years. That'll teach them!
I mean it did sort of do quite a lot of the type of things we now think that doing them means a country shouldn't hold the games
Plus all the original events were basically warfare, chucking hammers, lobbing spears, chasing after people
Personally I couldn't give a sh1t about the Olympics and think they cost an insane amount of money that probably never gets earned back. I think Greece started it ... they should be forced to hold them every four years. That'll teach them!
