Here we go again. Yep, it’s that time of the year where people start complaining about the Olympics again. But not because of the budget being blown or drugs being abused or even the smog in the streets. No, this time people are on about China and their human rights record. And they are questioning why China got the Olympics to start off with. How could a country with such a human rights record get the Olympics? And of course it isn’t the people in China complaining. No, they don’t have that opportunity. They can’t say anything because the state controls what they are allowed to say. And even if they could complain we would still not be able to hear it because the state controls the media and Internet.
But at least the Olympic Committee has come down hard. They made it clear that they will take action “if and when there are things which are brought to our attention that are not in line with our values“. That’s put them in their place. Don’t mess with the Olympic values. That is sacred and everyone knows the importance of these values. Right?
You would expect to find these values quite easily. I mean, this is the Olympics. They will have their values right on the front of their T-shirts. Scribbled on their hands for quick reference. And on the back of their business cards. But why don’t you go and try to find them on their website quickly. Just click here and come back when you find it.
You back? Good. I had a good supper in the meantime. And a little siesta. It wasn’t where you expected it to be was it? It wasn’t on the front page. Not even a link on the front page. Did you do a search for values? Found references, but very little else. Not the actual values in black and white. Well, let me help you out a bit.
The values are a bit hidden. You have to go to the Olympic Charter to find anything. On page 12 you will find the Fundamental Principles of Olympism. And here they state clearly that “any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement” and “belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter“. So that clear then – you are out of here if you abuse human rights.
And China has one of the worse human rights records in the world. They are ranked by Freedom House as equal to Zimbabwe. Worse than Iran and Iraq. And way worse than Nigeria and Venezuela. Human rights are not only abused. It is spat on and locked up with the keys thrown away.
Human rights are as easy to find in China and Zimbabwe as the values of the Olympics. You heard of it, but you just can’t find it. So the Olympic Committee made it clear. You can get the Olympics if you are as good as China when it comes to looking after your people. And they owe us an Olympics after stealing it from Cape Town the last time around. So come on uncle Bob. Make us proud. Bring the Olympics to Africa. The Olympic Committee made it clear that you are good enough to fit in with their values.
I think I will go for a run now. If he is good enough for the Olympics then I should be good enough to qualify for the marathon. Go uncle Bob – you know a bit of both. Running for a long time and values that fits an Olympian.
February 14, 2008 at 4:21 am
Agreed.
May 31, 2008 at 10:59 am
I hear to exchange some opinion concerning China with you. If China is not the right place to host Olympics, where is? You neglect the big progress that China has made in human rights and freedom of speech. I bet you don’t speak Chinese, if you do, you can get more information about China, and you view about China will Change.
Don’t be led by the media and one-sided opinion. Keep your mind open. That is what I can say about China. But pathetically, people are either unwilling or incapable of looking from another perspective.
July 1, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Well, the Olympics have been given to Moscow (1980),and to military-dictatorship run Seoul (1988) to say the least.
Interestingly, perhaps the only time the Olympics were rescheduled due to “image” concerns was when they were slated to go to Japan in 1940 (awarded in the 30s while Japan was occupying Manchuria) but were rescinded in 1937 after Japan decided to dispense with the illusion and decide to actively invade China.
Frankly, the Olympics are hollow- they aren’t about the world coming together, they have turned into a nationalistic and consumeristic hoopla. It would be nice though, if the IOC and the Olympic myth-makers would admit that. It’s not necessarily wrong to be nationalistic and consumeristic, in fact, I love consumerism and capitalism; but its sickening when the IOC tries to cloak itself in “humanitarianness.”
As for China making progress, Jim is right that the country has been much maligned, at times unfairly. But still, I have studied China, lived in China, seen things in China, etc. and I would have to say that it still comes up lacking in many ways- even Chinese agree– and you don’t need to read only Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Bulletins to realize that. Just read about Hu Jia, Gao Yaojie, and others who accidentally upset the state.
But yelling about Human Rights and “Democracy” is foolhardy to do. In China, Stability is perhaps the most important thing- and for good historical reasons; without stability and order, you cannot have law or rights.
I think China needs to achieve Rule of Law before it can have nebulous “human rights”. China has a good constitution that guarantees many rights– however, they are thrown out because “Stability” and divine fiat of Judges and Cadres are often judged more acceptable.
I hope to address the “human rights/rule of law/freedom of speech” fact eventually in my blog: http://chinacomment.wordpress.com
Many countries are different and their citizens will react in odd ways to different actions from the top. It is well worth analysis about what types of governance will work best in dissimilar places.
That being said, I have little problem with Beijing receiving the Olympics- since the Olympics is really about cash, and about the power of countries. China, like Japan (1940 scheduled for a rising Japan) and Germany (1916 was scheduled for a rising Germ.) is on the rise economically, militarily, and in general importance.
It’s just sad that the IOC struggles to imply elsewise.
July 24, 2008 at 10:36 am
Ah, I finally did that post on the rule of law and human rights:
http://chinacomment.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/rule-of-law-not-human-rights/
Feel free to debate me here on that subject on your blog or at my home.
Best,
ChinaComment