While most of us are concerned with the human rights violations occurring all over the world, and especially in China, it might not be a good thing for demonstrations and other protests to besmirch the good will and harmony among the nations of the world that the Olympic Games provide.

For those not able to recall, the protest and boycott of the 1980 Olympics by the United States was a disaster, as we were considered ‘poor sports’ and  the outcome of the boycott was that not one thing changed, and the loss to American prestige in the world was great. Most people asked today would be hard pressed to name the reason for the boycott. Also the athletes of our country felt robbed, as some were never able to compete at another Olympic Games event, the best portion of their careers effectively wasted. Had a great number of countries protested, things would be different, but we were essentially alone in our statement of disapproval (how little some things change).

As human rights violations are of great importance, it seems fair to ask why all of the brouhaha currently underway should have ever been needed, as the decision to give the Olympics was one of a few years ago. The question must become, ‘Why was China considered, as the human rights violations predated the decision to allow the hosting in Beijing?"

Unfortunately, no answers to this are given. It appears that opportunism and greed are the factors that affected the decision, pushing all other considerations to the rear.

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Tags: olympic games, protest, human rights violations, 1980 olympics boycott, hosting choices