The Olympics

Athletic Gathering? or Political tool?

Are the Olympics just a place where athletes can compete against each other for individual and national glory? Or is that national victory projected onto a larger scale. Most slightly-educated people will remember the 1936 Olympics which were held in Germany. It was used by Hitler to extend his Nazi propaganda.

During this years Olympics, the idea of using the Olympics as a political tool can be seen extremely clearly. During the opening ceremony a large portion of the commentary involved describing and explaining the different acts and shows. Many of them involved the artistic director trying to portray China, and this portrayal was showing the good side. A theme that was also emphasized in the ceremony was new beginning. They wanted to tell the world that China wanted a fresh start, a clean slate. They wanted a chance to erase the reputation their country has earned over history and to create a new one.

China is not the only one that is making political statements through these Olympics. Though subtle, we can see president Bush there. He gave interviews expressing that he came here, not only to cheer on the US team, but to discuss and improve relations.

This political tool can also be seen in the barring of president Mugabe from the olympics.

Are the athlete's vies for personal and national glory more than that? Are these victories weapons for nations to use in political war. Albeit the athletes are there to win, are the governments aspirations more than just a piece of shiny metal that can be hung around the neck.

Government involvement is seen all around the Olympics. The most prominent for Americans although unknown to some, is the 1980 Olympic Games. Most people remember these games to be the famed gold medal for US Hockey team as they defeated the soviets. But these games were more than an inspirational David vs Goliath victory. During these games, the infamous Cold War was raging between the Soviets and the US. When the soviets rolled tanks into Afghanistan, the US made threats to boycott the summer Olympics which were being held in Russia. During the winter Olympics, the US victory did more than give them a gold medal. It gave the US another victory in the Cold War.

However subtle it may be, or blatantly obvious, the Olympics have become a tool in which countries can use. Being an athlete myself, we know that the athletes are competing for glory. This does not mean that the government cannot exploit this glory for political leverage. For now, we can hope that battles will stay at the use of weapons like elegance and gracefulness used in synchronized swimming, instead of guns and missiles used in war.