On the BBC news, they have a video story of how unaware the Chinese are of the controversy that surrounds the Olympics in Beijing. One Chinese man said, "Sports and Politics shouldn't mix!"
Now, on a superficial level, I agree with that statement. Just like I would agree with the statement that "Lions and Gazelles shouldn't mix". But, sports and politics AND economics have been and are already inextricably "mixed". To think that they aren't and have never been interrelated is just naiive. Yes, there are the ideals of sport and excellence, but getting down to the actual logistics of the Olympics, that is where all the details and the truth of the matter lies.
From my research three years ago on the power and scope of FIFA. I can only imagine that the Olympic Committee must run something akin to the United Nations. Countries are vying for the proven positive economic impact of post-Olympic tourism. The Olympic committee has political and economic clout for sure that goes well beyond selling broadcasting rights and Olympic merchandise.
So, should people who find that their issues with the Chinese government are not being taken into consideration, be trying to grab the Olympic torch and extinguish the flame? I'm not sure yet what the answer is to that. All I know is that for the Olympic Committee, any publicity is good publicity.
