No Politics? The Olympic Games ARE simply politics for the masses. A place where the rich nations with a decided unfair advantage assert their notional superiority over the rest. An all-swamping entertainment spectacular of the powerful nations V the rest,. Regardless of what it takes. There in lies my criticism .

Where their science and sophisticated training gives them the edge. Even the TV ran a show lauding the sports scientists as the unsung medal winners. There’s an on going cheating drugs war sanctioned in the past some countries. Where’s the honest competition? Much like the local milk bar competing with the supermarkets.

In the west the Olympic Games are an excuse for a capitalistic bonanza for the sponsors. Unfortunately many of the deluded people in the host countries often have to pick up the cost. Is it a genuine benefit to the country really? Does it really bring countries together? Did it free Hungary, will it free Falong Gong, Tibet and all the other cultural groups? Will its change China? It didn’t change Germany or Russia.

From the Chinese regime’s perspective it is more about internal national pride, an excuse to justify the CCP’s one people policy and by inference firm up their hold on power.

One wonders at the surprise of the West at China’s reneging of free journalism.
Did anyone really expect China to open the flood gates? Not bloody likely

Athletes are when all said and done simply entertainers who are pawns in a larger political ego , power assertion game. A fee good con job.

The athlete’s individual stories are on one level admirable, if over blown. But when you consider not all outstanding sporting efforts are acknowledged. Only those photogenic individuals in high profile sports are lavished with media attention, followed by sponsorship dollars and taxpayer’s money. Clearly this largess is inequitably distributed more on marketability than merit.
Circuses were important to distract the Romans too

I didn't expect China to open the flood gates,
but I did expect her to comply with the
agreements of the International Olympic Committee.
It was under that understanding that Beijing was
granted the Games in the first place.

I also felt that if the spotlight was placed on the
country, they would have to face issues like
human rights, death penalty, Tibet, and so on.
And China should have realized that this was inevitable.

If enough pressure was placed on China, I felt that
some progress in these areas could possibly be
achieved.

Now, listening to the news each evening, I'm beginning
to realize that its all a sham.
They're not making any concessions, they're not even
complying with the original agreements that awarded
the games to them.

However, if we allow this to continue, and do nothing
about it - then the shame is on us.
And what is the future of the Games if countries like
China are allowed to set this precedent.

Perhaps what we should now do is boycott their products,
to show our general disappointment.

During the Moscow Olympics, some countries abstained
from attending to show their disapproval of that
regime, and the message did get across.

A message now needs to be sent to China.
And if any one is still in doubt - check out
the Amnesty International's website on China.

The following website may also be of interest:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7529453.stm

The whole point of allowing China to host the olympics was to encourage it to improve human rights.

Since this doesn't happen, there is no longer a point in holding the olympics: both journalists and athletes should be heading home.