Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Beijing

[Prospector]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

The fact that the IOC are disallowing the athletes their own voice, not allowing free contact with media, not allowing athletes to blog from the village freely for example, is ensuring that the games automatically become political. And you have to ask, why the hell aren't the athletes allowed to do whatever the hell they want outside of competition? After all, it is about them... isn't it?... Obviously not...

Athletes and officials have for many Olympics been required to sign these documents, so this is nothing new. As far as the media goes, these clauses are designed to ensure that the athlete is able to concentrate on what they do best, which is compete, so any media opportunities are well managed. They are designed to also limit the fiasco that can occur with security issues like Bombs (as in Atlanta); and the issue of the rower, Sally, from the last Olympics, although several athletes broke their contracts by speaking to media independently. Too many people got hurt in that fiasco to let that happen again. The clauses actually protect the athletes, which is probably hard to see as an outsider.

 

[chops_a_must]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

Athletes and officials have for many Olympics been required to sign these documents, so this is nothing new. As far as the media goes, these clauses are designed to ensure that the athlete is able to concentrate on what they do best, which is compete, so any media opportunities are well managed. They are designed to also limit the fiasco that can occur with security issues like Bombs (as in Atlanta); and the issue of the rower, Sally, from the last Olympics, although several athletes broke their contracts by speaking to media independently.

Yes, but what I am saying is that this method of ensuring that there are "no politics" at the games, automatically posits that they are inherently political. That's all I was saying. I understand why they do it, but at the same time, because of this, saying that the games are politics free, or should be, is completely laughable.

In terms of the contracts the athletes have to sign, what if they don't? Could you then have a situation where an athlete clearly earns a spot, but for ethical/ business/ commercial reasons imposed by the body (aside from drug testing etc.), that the athlete can't tolerate for religious or personal beliefs or what have you, is dumped from the team?

So it's pretty easy to see that right through, it is political.

I just do not understand why athletes shouldn't be allowed to voice their opinion while over there. Especially considering a lot will have them on the human rights matter, they are human after all.

 

[Julia]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

The Tibetans want an end to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Here is a terrible list of how Chinese are denying human rights.

1. The peaceful buddhist country of Tibet was invaded by Communists China in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monastaries have been destroyed, and thousands of TIbetans have been imprisoned.

2. In Tibet today, there is no freedom of speech, religion, or press and arbitrary dissidents continue.

3. The Dalai Lama, Tibet's political and spiritual leader, fled to India in 1959. He now lives among over 100,000 other Tibetan refugees and their government in exile.

4. Forced abortion, sterilization of Tibetan women and the transfer of low income Chinese citizens threaten the survival of Tibet's unique culture. In some Tibetan provinces, Chinese settlers outnumber Tibetans 7 to 1.

More here at the source

Thanks for your response, Bill. However, the source could hardly be described as unbiased, could it!

I just wonder where all the outrage was when all the years of bloodshed and denial of any vestige of human rights has been happening in so many countries in Africa? Would it all change for them if they could find a round faced, smiling, charismatic monk?

 

[juw177]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

I just wonder where all the outrage was when all the years of bloodshed and denial of any vestige of human rights has been happening in so many countries in Africa? Would it all change for them if they could find a round faced, smiling, charismatic monk?

Has been happening for decades. In resource rich Africa, instead of free the Tibetans, it is free the gorillas and kick the African poachers off their homeland. (but that is another topic). Western media love to drum up gorilla conservation in Africa.

I guess the point is powerful people will always find guise to divide and pillage another country.

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

Hmm, not again.
Almost all of that except maybe (3) is down right false.

juw, is there in China today, freedom of speech, religion, or press?

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

Thanks for your response, Bill. However, the source could hardly be described as unbiased, could it!

I just wonder where all the outrage was when all the years of bloodshed and denial of any vestige of human rights has been happening in so many countries in Africa? Would it all change for them if they could find a round faced, smiling, charismatic monk?

The greatest supporter of african dictators today is China, would the african populace be happier "if they could find a round faced, smiling, charismatic monk"? - absolutely.

Why are there problems in Sudan? Primarily because of Chinas desire to retain access to Sudans oil - 80% of Sudans oil goes to China, and China wants to keep it that way.

 

[Prospector]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

Why are there problems in Sudan? Primarily because of Chinas desire to retain access to Sudans oil - 80% of Sudans oil goes to China, and China wants to keep it that way.

I heard this on the radio over the weekend. I think Russia too was mentioned.

Everything bad in this world seems to come back to one think, OIL! Or maybe two, RELIGION.

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

I heard this on the radio over the weekend. I think Russia too was mentioned.

Everything bad in this world seems to come back to one think, OIL! Or maybe two, RELIGION.

Agree and its always those that just want to live thier lifes that suffer the most.

There is a massive battle going on worldwide for energy, the USA is loosing big time, China stole a big jump on them.

One aside, those same oil fields in Sudan are reported to be guarded by up to 4,000 Chinese PLA soldiers.

 

[disarray]

i'm finding the resurgence of chinese nationalism accompanying the whole olympic thing to be extremely interesting. its also amusing that the irony of the whole situation is totally lost on the chinese nationalists - namely

1. the issue is largely one of tibetan nationalism vs chinese nationalism in the first place

2. chinese nationalists in the west are extremely vocal with their views while they are living in a society that guarantees freedom of speech and expression, unlike the homeland they are defending

3. chinese jump up and down when other nations such as japan or taiwan express any form of nationalism (yasikuni shrine etc.)

4. racial themes are prevalent (such as violence against Han, "native" references) yet aren't being discussed. whenever white society finds itself in conflict with another culture the race card is the first one played, its neat that asians aren't considered racist (although we know the truth is another matter). i wonder how the africans will fare should they come into conflict with chinese expansionist plans in continental africa?

nationalism has many many critics and as long as people express nationalist sentiments they will come in for a schelacking from the left. the torch protest relays in europe were especially virulent and bear the hallmark of socialist / anarchist / globalist / radical green alliances who frequently take up with an allied cause (freedom, human rights etc.) and engage in aggressive action.

the olympics is just a sideshow, turning attention to china while issues of nationalism, human rights and so on are aired. generally the chinese are reclusive and inscrutible so its not common for this level of attention to be shone upon it, but should they become the world power they are striving to be, it will be a lot more common.

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

All very good points disarray.

 

[2020hindsight]

Re: Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser to boycott Bejing

I heard this morning that Dawn didn't go to Athens either!

Was she protesting eating olives maybe?

PS I am totally for keeping diplomatic pressure on China to improve human rights record - Tibet, Darfur, Burma included.
As Rudd is currently doing.
Just that it's not a problem-belong-athletes, thassall (imo).

PS Gee the Aussie Olympic athletes must be getting alarmed at the way things are going

 

[Pager]

Would Dawn be doing this if she was still swimming today? Probably not, the only people who will suffer from the stupid out bursts by ex Olympians are the current crop of athletes.

Keep politics out of sport.

 

[2020hindsight]

the torch protest relays in europe were especially virulent and bear the hallmark of socialist / anarchist / globalist / radical green alliances who frequently take up with an allied cause (freedom, human rights etc.) and engage in aggressive action.

All very good points disarray.

hey A2A, I thought you were in favour of the (virulant anarchist) torch protests

 

[juw177]

For those wondering why all of a sudden the US are jumping up and down about violence in Darfur when the US has military bases all over Africa sponsoring wars that cost billions of lives. You guessed it, because China got a piece of the pie... and lots of media censorship.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/ten-reasons-why-save-darfur-is-a-pr-scam/
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/...its-time-to-demilitarize-us-policy-in-africa/

“Save Darfur will not say exactly how much it has spent on its ads, which this week have attempted to shame China, host of the 2008 Olympics, into easing its support for Sudan. But a coalition spokeswoman said the amount is in the millions of dollars.”

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

hey A2A, I thought you were in favour of the (virulant anarchist) torch protests

Again an assumption by you, if you can show where I even suggest that I did I would be surprised.

 

[juw177]

Again an assumption by you, if you can show where I even suggest that I did I would be surprised.

You never supported anything Beijing Olympic, you wanted a olympic boycott. As I said before, you are taking this thread a little too personally.

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

You never supported anything Beijing Olympic, you wanted a olympic boycott. As I said before, you are taking this thread a little too personally.

Where on earth in my last response do you see me taking anything you say as personal, (although you calling me a racist would be enough provocation) can you distinguish between you saying "I thought you were in favour of the (virulant anarchist) torch...." and me replying, which is a natural response to a question, with "Again an assumption by you, if you can show where I even suggest that I did I would be surprised." as taking things personal.

Can you see the difference between Olympic boycott and tourch relay?

Back on the meds juw!

Now thats personal.

 

[2020hindsight]

Again an assumption by you, if you can show where I even suggest that I did I would be surprised.

Guess I assumed that you started this (third) thread because you agreed with it - especially when you went on to back broadside (post #7), - but I guess you are saying now that you don't feel strongly about the issues, just that Dawn isn't going to Beijing.

PS I concede that there are demonstrations and demonstrations. - violent and nonviolent. Just that the way you were talking, I figured you were ready to be seen in public holding a placard at least. - Maybe not.

 

[Aussie2Aussie]

Guess I assumed that you started this (third) thread because you agreed with it - especially when you went on to back broadside (post #7), - but I guess you are saying now that you don't feel strongly about the issues, just that Dawn isn't going to Beijing.

PS I concede that there are demonstrations and demonstrations. - violent and nonviolent. Just that the way you were talking, I figured you were ready to be seen in public holding a placard at least. - Maybe not.

1. I started this thread because it is a news worthy item that would have been lost in the "boycott" thread.

2. 2020 says "assumed that you started this (third) thread because you agreed with it". I dont see anywhere in the lead story where anyone mentions Fraser as agreeing to it. Is it both you and juw that cant comprehend what you read. Get over the fact that this is the "3rd" olympic thread - I have noted your comments the other 2 times.

3. The torch protests is an entirely different matter to boycotts, which is what juw referenced "hey A2A, I thought you were in favour of the (virulant anarchist) torch protests". So why confused??
3a. Boycott - response to others thread, expressed an opinion, in favour.
3b. Dawn Fraser - posted thread, expressed an opinion, in favour of her right to choose.
3c. Torch protests - subject introduced into thread - part of thread story (Fraser actually says "its a shame" and that she against the violence that its happening), no expressed opinion

4. I backed Broadside, because to call someone ignorant as juw did, implies that he was aware of her understanding of the issues, which I doubt he does and implies that her understanding is flawed, which I have yet to be convinced that it is.

 

[juw177]

Maybe he does not like to disrupt the torch relay but he sure disrupted his thread.