Cultured Views

I think it would be safe to say that this years Olympic Games in Beijing (if they go ahead) will go down in history as not just the most politically explosive but, quite possibly, the last games ever. Judging by the present climate I would be very surprised if the usual quota of nations are represented when they start in August.

What a sad and yet predictable lead up to Beijing 2008. Those who awarded the games to this Chinese city must be shuffling their feet now and wondering who on earth they can pass the blame to. Looking at the complete shambles that the current torch procession is turning into one wonders just how much worse it can get – and you get the awful feeling that it is going to get a lot worse as we get closer to August.

Just thinking back to the Sydney 2000 Games and what a fantastic example it was of how the Games really should be (okay, I am an Aussie so you may think I am biased), and then the totally forgettable Games that followed in Athens 2004, the words of Juan Antonio Samaranch come to mind from his speech at the Sydney Games Closing Ceremony:

” This was the best Olympic Games EVER! “

And they were - anyone who was in Sydney in 2000 will agree with that statement. But I wonder if those words could prove to be prophetic in a way. Could they have been the last real Olympic Games ever?

You have to look at things from this angle: when one of the most recognised and acknowledged symbols of world peace and harmony - the Olympic Torch - needs an armed escort in public has the time come to put it away and admit defeat…or are we all still so naive to think that politics and sport are seperate when it comes to the Olympic Games?

Not in 2008 they are not.

Related posts:

1. Olympic torch struggles through London
2. A little food for thought – though not for the sceptics
3. The best Olympic games of all