26 June, 2008 The Olympic Dream: Sporting or Political Arena?

As China tries to embrace the Olympic Movement with the slogan “One World, One Dream”, pro-China protestors yell the slogan “One World, One Dream, One China”, and athletes are banned from protesting including wearing “Free Tibet” t-shirts.

The Olympics used to mean rushing home from school to watch synchronised swimmers from Liechtenstein, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and other countries you’ve never heard of. But this year, the competition is only China vs. Tibet. Has this changed the way Australians feel about the “Olympic Dream?”

The Olympic Dream: “One World, One Dream, One China”

So and so “and the Olympic Dream”; so and so’s “Olympic dream dwindling”; so and so “One Step Closer to Olympic Dream”; so and so “hopes to run down her Olympic dreams”; so and so’s “Olympic dream shattered”; so and so’s “Olympic dream all but over”; so and so “abandons his Olympic dream”; so and so “chasing Olympic dream”; so and so “stayed true to her Olympic dream. Now she’s called a traitor”; “Olympic dream lost in desperate drug plan”; so and so’s “Olympic dream in tatters AGAIN as injured horse forces her to pull out of Beijing”; so and so “takes to the sky to pursue Olympic dream”; so and so’s “Olympic dream is driving her on”; and a person favourite, “Central Coast wrestler close to pinning down Olympic dream”.

(Those are all real headlines by the way).

Until recently the Olympic Games or the “Olympic Movement” has been seen solely through a utopian lens as not just a monumental sporting event, but as a movement that strengthens individual nations, and breaks cultural barriers to bring together countries from across the world.

In Australia, young athletes put sweat, blood and tears into their “Olympic Dream” and the Government puts millions on the line to get our Aussies onto the podium. It is a dream shared by the athletes competing, spectators, volunteers and performers alike.

I know Nikki Webster has had stardom many would be envious of, having appeared in a Twisties commercial and guest hosting the Midday show with Kerri-Anne Kennerley; but her performance at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics must still be a highlight.

The first Olympics I remember is the 1996 Athens Games, where the official theme song was Gloria Estefan’s “Reach” and you begged your parents to take you to McDonald’s so you could collect the Olympic cards. You rushed home from school to see how Australia was doing on the medal tally and then you watch synchronised swimmers from Liechtenstein, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and other countries you’ve never heard of.

But this year, the competition does not seem to be between countries on the sporting field, it is about China vs. Tibet.

According to the Olympic Charter, the goal of the Olympic Movement is “to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by education youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Taking into consideration the human rights history of China, it is questionable whether the choice of Beijing as the Host City for the 2008 games is in keeping with the “Olympic spirit”.

The theme for the 2008 Beijing Olympic’s torch relay was “Journey of Harmony”. Half of the world must have missed the memo, because the torch’s 21-country journey was more like an obstacle than a harmonious relay. In most countries, the relay was dominated by a vocal competition between pro-China demonstrators and pro-Tibetan abuse protesters.

According to a media report, about 3000 police, some on motorcycles, some on foot and some on roller blades, oversaw the relay as it departed the Eiffel Tower and went across Paris. Despite this huge police effort, the flame had to be extinguished twice and brought aboard a bus to move it away from protestors.

Thirty-five people were arrested in London where one man broke through the security and attempted to grab the torch. 1500 Coast Guard officers, 1200 police, and 3000 city workers weren’t able to stop water bombs being thrown at the torch in Buenos Aires.

The United States torch relay was called a “Flaming Fiasco” and Australia’s turn wasn’t far from it either. The ABC reported: “A gang of pro-China demonstrators assaulted people and tore down pro-Tibet banners in the wake of today’s Olympic torch relay in Canberra, an onlooker has claimed”.
Pro-China supporters were chanting “One World, One Dream, One China”, instead of the official slogan of the Beijing 2008 Olympics: “One World, One Dream”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has attempted to keep the event free from politics with the Olympic Charter banning “political and religious demonstrations at Olympic sites, venues and other areas.” Despite this rule, the Olympics have been an arena for political protests. One of the most famous was the ‘Black Power’ protest at the Mexico City Games in 1968 when American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest against civil rights abuses against African Americans. The pair were suspended from the US team and banned from the Olympic Village.

Today, the Olympics, with protestors across the world, is helping to put the spotlight on the human rights abuses in China.

Governments across the world are seeking to balance the need to protect trade and diplomatic relations with China and condemn China’s treatment of Tibetans. World leaders have been called upon to boycott the opening ceremony. French President Nicolas Sarkozey has made the threat and after months of speculation, Kevin Rudd has finally made his RSVP to this invitation.

Some high profile sporting people made a stand, including Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar who decided not to be a part of the torch relay.

However, the athletes that are actually competing in the games will not have such freedoms. The IOC has made it clear that athletes wearing a t-shirt or have equipment bearing the words “Free Tibet” will be punished. I dare say the punishment will be… so and so’s “Olympic dream shattered”.

So, what do Australians think? Has the Olympic Dream been shattered for Australians by the protests, should the Olympics be an arena for political protests and should athletes be able (excuse the pun) exercise their freedom of speech?

What does the Olympics mean to you?

“To me, the Olympics is an opportunity for countries to showcase their best sporting talent to a world stage which has not only enormous historic value but an event which values are added every four years”.
Alexandra Bryant, aged 21, of Belconnen ACT

“To tell you the truth, not a whole lot… People can go on about national pride as much as they want but to me it's always seemed overblown…”
Aaron Hobbs, aged 22, of Wollongong

“It’s an age old sporting event that somehow seems a bit more noble and important than most… It means paying attention to a guy from Africa who doesn’t have a pool longer than 25m and yet still swims”.
Michael Buckland, aged 19, of Balmain

“It makes me proud to watch my country achieve so much through sports in the Olympics…It’s the only positive reason the world comes together…It makes me feel proud and lucky to be an Australian”.
Elle Labelle, aged 23, of Tuggeranong ACT

Has your view of the Olympics been changed because of the strong focus on China’s human rights abuses in Tibet?

“Not really, but…I didn't really have some glowing, idealistic view of the Olympics anyway”.
Aaron Hobbs, aged 22, of Wollongong NSW

“Yes, I feel better about it…It’s good to know that it’s kept its importance to make sport more than just a competition between those on the field”.
Michael Buckland, aged 19, of Balmain

“Not really. When I think [of the] Olympics my mind goes to the events that I want to watch, like the swimming and athletics”.
Phillip McCarroll, aged 19, Foxground NSW

Should the Olympics be used for political protest?

“The Olympics is broadcast worldwide and the media attention the games receive is phenomenal, to take advantage of such worldly coverage is a smart move if you want to bestow your message to the masses”.
Alexandra Bryant, aged 21, of Belconnen ACT

“Nah, I think that'd just be a cheap way of trying to push an agenda…If you have a strong enough case against whatever it is you're protesting you shouldn't really need a big event like the Olympics to try and give your protest extra credibility”.
Aaron Hobbs, aged 22, of Wollongong NSW

“Yes, it always has and should remain so…If there is something wrong in the world then people should use any means to change that, the Olympics has always been a great forum for that reason”.
Michael Buckland, aged 19, of Balmain

“…the Olympics should be sport and sport only”.
Elle Labelle, aged 23, of Tuggeranong ACT

Should China be the host city for the 2008 Olympics given its human rights record?

“For China to be hosting the Olympics at such a tumultuous time certainly puts the spotlight on their human rights issues with Tibet. Surely hosting the Games during such a controversial and sensitive period is not the right time”.
Alexandra Bryant, aged 21, of Belconnen ACT

“Well, how long has it been since it was confirmed that China was going to host the Olympics? Something like 7 years? Their issues with Tibet aren't exactly a new thing so if that was going to affect whether or not they should host the games you'd think that somebody would've brought it up a little earlier”.
Aaron Hobbs, aged 22, of Wollongong NSW

“Yes, it has done so much good already. China has really engaged with the world around this event. It’s helped clean up pollution. It’s helped get the homeless off the street. And it’s ensured that the government has to think about this”.
Michael Buckland, aged 19, of Balmain

“China should’ve been pulled out a long time ago and should not have even been a contender. There were plenty of other far better options”.
Elle Labelle, aged 23, of Tuggeranong ACT

“The IOC isn’t a political body; they choose the hosts based on criteria like stadiums, infrastructure and security. If a city can meet those criteria than they deserve to host the games. It’s a bit hypocritical for anyone in Australia to believe that China’s human rights record should mean that they forfeit hosting the Games. The situation with Indigenous people in this nation is as bad, if not worse than any other human rights problems in any other nation.”
Phillip McCarroll, aged 19, Foxground NSW

Should athletes be allowed to protest?

“The Olympic Games are predominantly about sport being competed in a harmonious manner, I don't believe political protest has much a place in that”.
Alexandra Bryant, aged 21, of Belconnen ACT

“Sure they should be allowed to, but if they really have that big a problem with China it'd be a bit of a conflict of interest if they still decided to compete”.
Aaron Hobbs, aged 22, of Wollongong

“So long as it obeys the usual peaceful laws then I don’t see why freedom of expression should be denied to an Australian or anyone else, even in China”.
Michael Buckland, aged 19, of Balmain

“I don’t think athletes should protest…follow what you believe in, but you’re there to represent your country in sport, just do you job mate, don’t jeopardise what you’re there for”.
Elle Labelle, aged 23, of Tuggeranong ACT

“The games are about the athletes so they should be able to do as they like. The Olympics wouldn’t suffer from their protests; everybody still talks about the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics.”
Phillip McCarroll, aged 19, Foxground NSW

Is banning athletes from protesting in line with the "Olympic Spirit"?

“The values of the Olympic Spirit are mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity and fair play. I don't think protesting really comes under these terms”.
Alexandra Bryant, aged 21, of Belconnen ACT

“Depends what your definition of "Olympic spirit" is I guess, but I think banning anything other than steroids wouldn't really be in line with it”.
Aaron Hobbs, aged 22, Wollongong NSW

“No, athletes should and will do it anyways. No one, not our government, not the police, not any private company or organisation has the rights to tell someone what they can complain about. It defeats the purpose of complaining”.
Michael Buckland, aged 19, Balmain NSW

“Wear a t-shirt if you really believe in it, but don’t spend countless hours protesting on the streets when you’re meant to be a professional athlete…”
Elle Labelle, aged 23, of Tuggeranong ACT

“No. The Olympic spirit aims to create a peaceful and better world, so why would it ban people from protesting about activities that contradict that spirit?”
Phillip McCarroll, aged 19, Foxground NSW

*Some interviews done by Adam Leonard (Journalism student) of the St. George Migrant Resource Centre in Sydney