Yeah, But How Does That Make You Feel?

There, all my ideas are out for everyone to see. The end result? Nothing has changed. No more than twenty pairs of eyes have seen my blog. Did I expect a change? Should I have? I hardly expect my devoted readers to immediately start a protest on the front lawn of the White House. No, this issue will be hard to get rid of. You could always write a letter to the IOC. But is such a removed, ambiguous organization really going to care what a few Americans have to say anyway? None of them like us anyway. We win too many medals. ;)

Anyway I feel prideful knowing that such a unique topic is now out there for the world to see. So before I give you my farewell.....

GO TEAM USA!

Yeah, we rock.

Wrap It Up, Jamie!

Ok, ok. I have been on and on about our issues with government politic in the Olympics. I'm getting to the end, guys. Just hang in there...

There is no way to stop host nations from profiting from the Olympics because tourists will always flock there to watch the games in person. Certainly, governments should be allowed to make a few extra accommodations for the increased number of people in a concentrated area. The IOC should closely monitor the spending involved with these accommodations, insuring that no more is done than needed.

Nations should be restricted to the necessities when it comes to preparing for the Olympics. Since the globe cannot be rid of governments to solve the problem of their negative influence on the games, what is needed is better government. The IOC is a young organization compared to the Olympic games. While it has been a part of the problem recently, new reforms can be made to strengthen its power and control over the games. The IOC is needed to keep the spirit of the Olympics alive. The committee just needs time to mature into a solid form of government that can curb the influence of national governments and ensure that the Olympics remain true to the original Greek spirit.

The Solution to Our Problem...

A solution is not immediately clear. Government is the issue. The IOC was meant to be a way to curb the influence of national governments on Olympic proceedings. There is no absolute way to solve this issue. There will always be dishonest and greedy governments willing to exploit the Olympic games and misinterpret their purpose. The only way to stop bad government is with better government. The IOC is the only organization that has the power to successfully put national governments in their place, at least when it comes to the Olympics. Today, the IOC is not using its powers effectively (Eagle- citation in previous post).

The IOC should use its power to enforce rules that restrict nations from cashing in on the Olympics. They should disallow countries from building new arenas just for the Olympic games. This would solve the issue of nations flaunting wealth to others. Using only preexisting stadiums would give other countries a true idea of what a nation is like, which is one of the true purposes of the games. Also, the IOC should limit media coverage to only sporting events and other events deemed important enough to broadcast globally. For example, the death of a Georgian athlete before the 2010 Olympics would be an appropriate use of the media. Interviewing analysts who discuss who is to blame and pull the attention away from the accident is a tasteless use of media.

This would be an appropriate use of media in this case. I cannot show you the video in this space because, by special request, it cannot be copied from its original home. Mr. Rogge is only concerned with the death of the athlete and deflects questions that detract from the significance of the situation.

This is an inappropriate use of media. I cannot embed this video either. Sorry! This news cast is more centered around blame and the track instead of honoring a fallen athlete. Blame is not a bad topic of discussion, but at the wrong time is very distasteful.

The IOC should do more than just place restrictions on governments. There should also be more limitations on athletes as well. The IOC should enforce rules that constrain how much time an athlete can train before the actual games. They should be allowed to train in whatever manner desired at home; however, the IOC should allow athletes to reach the competition site earlier than allowed now. Five days of practice would be an adequate amount of time to allow athletes to become acclimated to the new environment and the course they will compete on. This would permit athletes to get in extra practice on the courses and playing fields they will be on, allowing them to give better performances for the judges and the spectators.

The IOC: Incompetent Organization of Cheaters

In an attempt to control the influence of governments on the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee was created. The IOC regulates the games to try to uphold the Greek ideals. They act against athletes using performance-enhancing drugs. They oppose political and commercial abuse of the games. They make rules for the games and enforce them. In essence, they are the government of the Olympics.

As is the case with all governments, the IOC also imposes certain biases on the games and is open to the same type of corruption. The IOC decision to sell the rights to use the Olympic Rings logo brought them a large profit. Jeremy Eagle, a writer who investigates modern controversies, discovered that “the decision to sell the licensing rights to the rings has brought the IOC hundreds of millions of dollars. In 1988, nine companies paid more than $100 million for the right to use the rings in advertising. The 1996 summer Olympic games brought in $400 million for those rights” (Eagle). The 2002 Olympic host country selection ignited a scandal that the IOC has yet to recover from. The IOC was accused of accepting bribes that ranged from guns to medical help in exchange for the host bid to go to the United States (Eagle). Even this international, (supposedly) unbiased committee is subject to the same vices as national governments. The mentality of claiming victory over nations in the Olympic games has spoiled the original meaning of the competition: to foster international friendships. To fix this problem, the IOC should be reinvented to focus the games around the spirit of healthy competition and building community among nations.

The IOC underwent many reforms to try to solve the problem of its government-like behavior. However, it still retained all of its previously held power. It still has the power of a government. One way to end the threat of the IOC on the spirit of the Olympics is to have the Committee stripped of all of its enforcement powers; however, in doing this, the IOC would no longer be able to regulate countries in their treatment of the Olympics. The IOC is necessary to the Olympic games, if only to provide a deterrent for dishonest competitors.

• Eagle, Jeremy. "Olympic Bidding Process." Facts on File: Issues and Controversies (2002): n. pag. Web. 21 Apr 2010.

Outline of the Issue

Nations use the Olympics as a way to bring commerce into the country. The Olympics bring in several hundred thousand tourists to the host nation to watch the events. Millions more watch the events on television. Furthermore, the attention that is given to the host country due to media coverage brings every aspect of that country into light. Only considering the money brought in by tourists, the Olympics have been turned into a lucrative business. Again, this is a massive tangent to the original purpose of the Olympics. And again, government is to blame.

Government is the issue when it comes to the tarnishing of the Olympic spirit. How can this problem be fixed? The most obvious solution is to abolish the governments of the nations that compete in the modern games. Yes, this is highly impractical and certainly impossible. So what next? One solution could be to have athletes compete as individuals like in the ancient games. This would end the issue of “anything your country can do, mine can do better.” It would also eliminate a government’s habit to exploit the Olympics as a way to bring in commerce and showcase the country.

While this seems like an excellent solution, the likelihood of ever separating an athlete from his nation is slim. Furthermore, the entire globe would lose interest. If an athlete is not affiliated with a nation, no nation can take part in the glory of the victory. No one would have any desire to watch the Olympics when they could watch their favorite basketball team on ESPN and take part in their triumph instead. This would cause the loss of the main purpose of the Olympics: to foster international community. How can the Olympics go back to its roots without loosing the positive developments it has made in the past few hundred years? In the words of Pooh Bear, we must, "think, think think."

And NOBODY CARES!

By competing as a nation, governments are given the power to control the pride of a nation and the way they are presented to the world. The governments of each nation are responsible for the shift in mentality when it comes to the Olympics. They are the ones who place such emphasis on beating other nations. The host nation is the country in which a session of the games takes place. The host nation usually spends millions of dollars to build playing arenas and spruce up the country. They do this to make the host nation look its best to outsiders, almost like international propaganda. For the 2007 Summer Olympics, China spent millions to build an arena. The government, needing a place for the colossal building, evicted 1.5 million citizens, sending them to camps that no U.S. citizen would call habitable. Ms. Lindsay Beck wrote an article on this Chinese Exodus. Canada spent millions of dollars on a program focused on winning the most medals in the 2010 Winter Olympics. The program was called "Own the Podium." The emphasis that governments place on being superior to other nations is what has tarnished the spirit of the Olympics.

So you won more medals than Zimbabwe. Whoopde freakin doo! No one cares! Do you know why? Other people have just as much pride in their nation as you have in your own. The fact that you beat them is more likely to build a rivalry, not a desire to pick up and move across the world. So let's keep defeating the purpose of the games. Instead of making international friends, let's make everyone hate us because we only care about winning more medals than everyone else. Perfect plan, everyone. I'd rather have a silver medal and a new German friend than a gold medal and no new friends. What's your priority?

The Silver Really Needs Polished

Today, the Olympic games are another way to breed prejudices towards other nations, using national pride to validate these emotions. They are also used as an attempt to prove to the world that one country is better than another. This is a severe disintegration of what the Olympics should embody. So why did the meaning switch from one of personal glory to the flaunting of national highlights take place?

To make this switch, there must have been a change in the way people group themselves. In the ancient times of the games, competition was by individual. There was only pride in one’s self, only the winner taking with him the eternal glory of victory. Today, an entire nation takes a part in the glory of one individual. Why is an entire nation of people allowed to take part in victory? Why does an athlete compete for his nation, and no longer for himself? This switch happened when nations started to compete as teams in 1896 Olympic Games. National and international politics were bound to get involved in Olympic proceedings because of this switch.

Governments just cannot leave well enough alone. They feel the need to control as much as possible. Of course governments would rather compete as nations instead of individuals. A nation is exponentially stronger politically than an individual. So national governments are now involved. And what happened? Most governments would do most anything to claim victory, even if it is by deceitful means. Go figure. Leave it to governments, which should epitomize the ideas of justice and honest, to wreck the pure spirit of the Olympics. DOWN WITH GOVERNMENT!

... Nah, I'm just joking. But really, there should be serious limits on what governments should be allowed to do when it comes to international games. And cheating is at the top of my "no-no" list.

Let's Go Back to the Good Ole Days

The Greeks, who placed a considerable amount of honor in speed and strength, started the Olympic games as a way to peacefully bring together different peoples to compete and exhibit their physical prowess. The original Olympic games were not the national showcases they are today. Athletes used to compete as individuals, not as part of a national team. This was because of the Greeks’ emphasis on excellence and glory achieved through extraordinary performances in these games. The pressure to win then was no less than it is now. The athletes in ancient times placed much virtue in honesty and fairness. If a competitor cheated, he was fined and immortalized in Greek history as a cheater, so say these very smart people from Tufts University. Suffice it to say, cheating was rare in these initial games.

The ideal of fair competition for personal glory is no longer a part of the Modern Olympics. As time went on, the meaning of the Olympic games drastically evolved from what the Greeks intended, and not in a good way. Personal glory has been replaced with national glory in today’s Olympic games. The focus of the modern games is beating other nations, winning at any cost, and broadcasting to the world how rich and prosperous a nation is. Athletes can cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs. Nations can cheat by bribing judges. They cheat because they want to win. They want to win not just because winning sends a message to other nations that one is superior, but it breeds in the minds of foreigners that another country is prosperous, stable, and physically better.

Now I have always been a fan of the Greeks and their crazy ideas. They wore togas and competed like real men (excuse the expression, ladies). What a noble way to live! If we ran our lived by the Greek philosophy of honor, we would need one prison for the entire country. We would never have to worry about drug testing our professional athletes. Those same athletes would not expect million of unearned dollars for their athletic feats. It would be a matter of glory, not income. Come on, people! Does this no sound lovely? I am not saying we should all get rid of our panties and wear togas and obsess over art. After all, their way of life did not last that long. But we should take the Greeks as an excellent example of how people should interact in competition. We should follow the spirit of fairness the Greeks exhibited.

The Government Strikes Back

Before the Olympics can take place, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) must choose a country that will host the games. It is an expensive endeavor to host these games, but the benefits severely outweigh the costs. The money brought it from all the tourists and fans usually pays for any stadiums or upgrades done and still produces profit. It also gives a country the chance to showcase itself and its culture. So what does this mean for the Olympics?

Competition for hosting the Olympics is almost as fierce as the games themselves. And for many years, there have been whispers (and even screams) that the bidding process is corrupt. The IOC members each get a vote for which host nominee they prefer. Committee members, like anyone else, can be bribed. And who bribes these people? Ding Ding Ding!! You got it! Governments!

Leave it to the governments to put another shadow on these noble-intentioned games. This journal article outlines the bidding process and ways that governments screw with the process. It also details how these scandals have led the IOC to makes reforms in itself. Even now, these reforms are under question. Do they really lower the effects of corruption on the bidding process? Should the IOC be completely replaced by a more isolated committee.

This is just sad, people! Why can't we just all play together nicely? The athletes at the games play fair (mostly). Why can't governments play fair too? Well, I'll tell you why. Government's are greedy. They want what is best for their country and it does not matter what anyone else needs or wants. It does not matter if another country is best suited to host the games. This trait is not always a bad thing. It helps a country further itself in the world. But when it comes to friendly, athletic competition, it is a little over-kill. A country should work to be better so it deserves to host the games, just as an athlete practices and works out so he or she can succeed in the games. Its an internal change, not external.

Overcoming Olympic Sized Odds

Brian McKeever has only 10% of his vision. This ten percent is completely peripheral. His dream: compete in the Olympics. He has competed in the Paralympics multiple times and has had great success. He was scheduled to compete in in Vancouver this year; however, the Canadian Olympic Team Committee decided to take him off the national team. This article from Sports Illustrated lightly touches on his heartache and how he is able to achieve athletic greatness despite his handicap.

McKeever presents us with an excellent example of what it takes to be successful today. He has refused to let his virtual blindness take over his life and dictate to him what he can and cannot do. As an athlete, I know how important it is to have all your physical abilities. I'm sure all of you can understand too. Not only does McKeever live, he thrives in competition. What would his motivation be without the Olympics? Sure, he kicks ass in the Paralympics. But after so many victories, there are two options: move to the next level, or stop competing. The Olympics provide that next level for athletes world wide, impaired or not.

The Olympics bring people together. They bring ALL kinds of people together. They motivate people to be better. McKeever does not use his handicap as a crutch. It's just another obstacle to overcome, just like sore muscles after a hard workout. You go, Brian McKeever. Show 'em how it's done.

So Much Tension, and It Didn't Even Matter

In 1936, the Olympic games were held in Berlin, Germany. For those of us not on top of our history facts, this is when Hitler was in power. Hitler only allowed members of the Aryan race to compete for the German team. This, of course, was to demonstrate his idea of racial supremacy. He showed, however, two faces to the world. While he discriminated against any races not his own, he also exhibited political prowess (that could easily be mistaken for tolerance).

This page gives an overall summery of the 1936 Olympic games. It brings up interesting facts that provide interesting discussion based in politics, psychology, and morality.

Politically, Hitler knew the world would not accept his views of racial supremacy as part of the Olympic games. The point of the games is to bring us all together as equals, even though everyone is competing against the others. Knowing he would get in trouble with the Olympic committee, and possibly other nations, Hitler instigated "clean up" programs. This included removing anti-Jew signs and other propaganda from the city. He also did not uphold visitors to the country to his laws pertaining to race, religion, or sexual orientation. This is NOT tolerance. This is a politically genius move to keep him out of trouble with nations he could not defeat.

During the Parade of the Athletes, all of the Olympic competitors march into a stadium normally organized by country. They always pass the leader of the host nation, in this case Hitler. Countries debated whether the athletes should give Hitler the Nazi salute or the Olympic salute, both being very similar. Some countries gave the Nazi salute, even goose-stepped into the arena. Some athletes put their hand over their heart in show of respect for the host nation's leader. Some gave the Olympic salute. The countries in support of Hitler's regime were proud to give the Nazi salute. Other nations were just happy to be present and representing their country.

The United States debated over whether to send a team to these Olympics or if boycotting that year's games was a better idea. They did not want to seem to be supporting the Nazi regime. In the end, The U.S. sent a team. A black man, Jesse Owens, won four gold medals at these games. While I have no proof, this probably upset Hitler just a little. Poor thing. However, after Owens almost did not qualify for the long jump finals, a German athlete (obviously from the Aryan race) give him a few tips. This is proof that once again, hatred between peoples and countries is a product of government propaganda, not individual feelings.

Even during a rough time for humanity, nations still came together to compete in harmony. While some might have feared for their safety while competing, most nations decided to send a team anyway, regardless of religion or race. Many countries fervently disagreed with the Nazi regime. This did not stop most of them from going to Berlin and being a part of world peace, if even for only a few weeks. What is it about the games that draws everyone in, no matter what is going on in global politics? Pride? Competitiveness? The desire for peace? These are obvious answers of course. Though I feel as if there is something deeper within an individual human. I intend to find out soon.

The Bi-yearly Ceasefire

Whenever the Olympic games roll around, thousands of people flock to a concentrated area, and billions more join the festivities from watching the games on television. People (and nations) stop hating one another. That emotion turns into something much more positive: national pride. Citizens of a nation become enthusiastic about their nation instead of focusing on their hate of another. With the lose of these negative emotions, we also loose the consequences of them. The Olympics are the closest thing this world will ever see to world peace. During the games, a global ceasefire is issued so we may all come together in the harmony of competition.

I found this article from a sports news site. It illustrates how athletes from warring nations are friends, and harbor no resentment towards the opposing country or it people. Usually, they only have a problem with the government. Which leads me to question... Do entire nations of people really hate another? Or is it the government and media feeding people propaganda, spoon-feeding hatred in an attempt to gain support for the next war?

Surely, when individuals are involved, one has no problem with another based on country of origin. Throw politics in the mix, however, and government has the power to put an entire nation in uproar. What is war but the display of superiority of one nation over another? What are the Olympics but the display of physical superiority of one nation of others? The Olympics redirect focus. We go from "Troops, get it done!" to "Dude, I really hope we wipe the floor with China's face."

Thank you, Olympics, for your bi-yearly ceasefire. If only it lasted longer...

Countries Come Together.... in Outrage?

The day before the Vancouver Olympic Games began, a luger from Georgia (the country, ladies and gentlemen) was fatally injured during a practice run. Nodar Kumaritashvill, a 21 year old, died going 88 mph on the most difficult luge track developed for any Olympic Games. I found this video, which is an interview that outlines the danger behind the winter games:



The day before this interview took place, the US luge team was interviewed and discussed the difficulty of the luge course. They complained that it was too fast, to steep, and too difficult, especially for the number of young, less experienced lugers. The US was not the only country to speak out either. With the death of the Georgian olympian, nations have banded together in an attempt to have Canada alter the track to decrease risk of injury.

In the video, Mariotti discusses that Nodar was going slower during his fatal run than early practice runs, having crashed the day before. Even trying to go slower than competitive speed, Nodar's loss of control resulted in the loss of his life. The interview also outlines the response (or lack of) from the Canadian Olympic Council.

There was talk of postponing and even canceling the opening ceremonies. How could the world celebrate the games when they have been shadowed with a death? Even so, nations rallied behind and mutually mourned the loss of the luger. The opening ceremonies were dedicated to Nodar, and there was a moment of silence to honor the athlete. We might all want to win the gold, but no athlete present at the games wants another athlete to get hurt in the attempt. The loss of a life was a tragedy, and it casts a depressing light on the luge events. All nations respect and honor the fallen competitor.

Now that I have established the unity of nations during this Olympic event...
Has anyone ever heard of the death of an Olympian before the games started? Unless an athlete is from one's own country, do you really care if an alternate showed up instead of the original athlete? Though I have yet to research this (coming soon!) I am sure there have been athletes that have died within their own countries' borders before the games are even advertised. We do not share a moment of silence for these athletes. No, we are too busy worrying about our economy and which country we must protect ourselves against next. And while this is completely understandable (out of sight, out of mind, right?) it is curious that something as macabre as the death of a country's hero can bring together all types of people to one cause: honor the fallen.

The only time we all get along...

Every two years, the entire world comes to a truce. The closest thing to "world peace" that exists is when almost every nation sends representatives to one city to compete in the Olympics. Whether you make the journey to the selected city or you turn on your t.v., few can resist the spirit of friendly competition the Olympic games can offer. But how much peace do the Olympic games bring to the globe? Countries still have wars; there is still unrest. Nothing will completely eliminate the hate peoples feel towards others based on religion, race, type of government, etc. I intend to spend my semester exploring the reasons we can all come together in competition every two years, and why when we all separate we can only pick each other apart.

GO TEAM USA!

oh hey!

look! i have my very own page!