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...
Ok I dont really know how much I need to say, or really what I need to say but here it goes. Yes Jamie you are the first persons blog I will comment on.
ReplyDeleteOk so I like what is said about how our governments and the media spoon feed hatred into us, and that the olympics give us a temporary cease fire. It is like you say, the games do promote sort of a unity I guess you could say.
It is a very good point to bring up I think. But then again who cares what I think.
I do very much agree that the Olympics brings about some form of unity among different nations. I never gave it thought as to the source of all of the national hatred. The article is correct in saying that the majority of the hatred is fueled by the different political systems. However, there is one other aspect to consider; religion. I do not know how many times I have seen people argue over religion in my own backyard, let alone the entire world. I have my own faith and my own religion but I do not expect it to be the right one for everyone else. I think that is another aspect that the Olympics cater to. They respect that people come from different places and practice different religions; they play other nations' national anthems and much more. Suffice it to say that the Olympics are responsible for simmering the fire that is the political as well as religious (and many other aspects)differences between the worlds' many nations.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with your points you have made about how the Olympics bring us all together, but it is safe to say that the Olympics is definitely not "the closest thing this world will ever see to world peace." Yes, it is a good thing for the world to participate in, but I would not put it on such a high pedestal. There are certainly more occasions when the world comes together, such as for natural disasters. Unlike natural disasters, of course, the Olympic games are a joyous gathering, so I understand that side of it. But just because we, the United States, may be competing against a country we are now in war with in a speed skating competition does not mean we simply forget all the corruption and deception the soldiers are currently dealing with on the other side of the world. I truly enjoy continuously keeping my tv on the NBC channel during this time, but the Olympics, no matter summer or winter, are not as magical as you make them out to be. I wish it could be that simple.
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