By Will Cade

The Olympics - what a symbol of healthy competition and world co-operation… or, well, in theory. Idealistically speaking, the Olympics are put on “to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play” or so goes the Olympic Charter.[1]

The Beijing Olympic Charter has a different spin on things. Today the organizers in Beijing released a list of reminders for foreigners coming to the Olympic Games. The list states that purchasing tickets for the Olympics will not guarantee entrance into the country, for ticket-holders must abide by “Chinese laws while in China and must not harm China’s national security or damage social order.” The list further clarifies that this includes protesting without permission, being mentally ill, or having sexually transmitted diseases.[2]

Now, I’m no athlete, nor am I a Chinese governmental official, so I’m no expert on how the Olympic Games should go down in Beijing. But I can read, and something here doesn’t follow. “Educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind” doesn’t include the clause “unless you’re crazy or have AIDS.” Obviously, Beijing’s vision of the Olympics and the original vision don’t match up too well, or even at all.

Beginning in Greece in 776 BC, the Olympics allowed Greek athletes from warring cities to come together and compete peacefully. This, along with Democracy, is a hallmark of Greek culture and philosophy. Unfortunately, in 393 A.D. the Olympics disappeared from the West, soon followed by Democracy as well. For over a millennium, Western culture continued without the Olympics or Democracy - a period endearingly referred to as the Dark Ages. Democracy re-emerged in the late 18^th century, and the Olympics re-emerged at the end of the 19^th.

The history of the Olympics and Democracy has been intertwined in Western Culture, but in the last few centuries a new element has been added to the mix: Capitalism. Countries now vie to host the Olympic Games because it brings an influx of investing and infrastructure to whichever country - and city - wins the bid. Barcelona, for instance, went from a somewhat scuzzy port town to an international hot-spot after the 1992 Olympic Games, and London is currently revamping Stratford - one of its poorest areas - with money it received after winning the 2012 bid. For these cities and democratic countries, winning an Olympic bid is like winning the lottery.

For China, the largest communist country in the world, hosting the Olympics is like playing the lottery and Russian roulette at the same time. It desperately wants the influx of money and development, but it’s petrified of the Western ideals which come with the games: democracy and the freedom to protest.

A lot of people have been talking about what will happen if the Beijing Olympics is boycotted. That would be a sad day for many athletes, competitors, and spectators around the world. But what will happen if this Olympic abomination does take place? What will it teach the youth about the Olympic spirit, or Western Culture for that matter?

[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/feedarticle/7555500