Get Herald RSSWith the world preparing for the most celebrated competition in sport, speculations about an Olympic boycott by major Western nations have become prevalent in the media. While most leaders have remained silent or impartial on the issue, it is important that they begin considering the possibility of a boycott. Many Chinese policies, from their involvement in arming Sudanese perpetrating genocide in Darfur to their policy towards Tibet, are deserving of condemnation. The Olympics provide the perfect opportunity for nations like ours to show the Chinese government the seriousness with which we treat issues like human rights abuse. A partial boycott of the Olympics is a necessary and important step governments can take to show China that world opinion does not favor their most despicable policies.
A United States boycott would not be founded on mere economic and security concerns related to China's rise to world prominence. There are major social and political issues that our government should take a stand on, with the help of the huge Olympic stage. Nicholas Kristof reminded an audience in Sayles last week that the Chinese are the main provider of arms to the Sudanese government, which has made the genocide in Darfur markedly easier to carry out. China's policy against Tibet, particularly recent violence meant to intimidate dissenters, has been generally unfair. And within the country itself, records on environmentalism and human rights are weak. Given the great variety and number of issues in need of addressing, a boycott would be completely warranted, especially given the precedent set by the 1980 boycott of the Moscow games.
Some have raised the possibility of a complete boycott of the games. This would be a serious error. As important as it is to make a statement about certain Chinese policies, it would be unconscionable to do so at the expense of our athletes. To compete in the Olympic Games is the greatest honor for an athlete, and many only get one shot. Taking away an Olympic opportunity from our nation's best would be irresponsible.
A partial boycott of just the opening ceremony would make a statement without hurting our athletes. While the economic damage a full boycott could do gives it more teeth than a boycott of just the opening ceremony, the value of a partial boycott should not be underestimated. The opening ceremony may not have much to do with athletic competition, the defining element of the Olympics, but it is an opportunity for the host country to put itself on display for the whole world to see. Recall the brilliance of the opening ceremony in Sydney, which certainly lent itself to positive perceptions of Australia throughout the world. Conversely, the notable absence of countries like the United States at Beijing's opening ceremony would be a major embarrassment for the Chinese government, and would put a damper on what would otherwise be a golden opportunity for it to revel in the limelight without having to confront ugly issues.
A potential problem with this is that our own government commits actions worthy of international outrage, and a boycott may be nothing more than a tremendous act of hypocrisy. Although the relative severity of our actions may be debated, the world could easily point to our own reluctance to deal with Darfur, invasion of Iraq and suspension of various civil liberties as similar to the very actions we intend to condemn. Nevertheless, by boycotting the games we would be doing nothing more than making a statement of our opinions on Chinese policy.
Any country that wishes to make a statement about our own agenda can do so freely. By accepting the honor of hosting the Olympics, the Chinese have also accepted the scrutiny of the world. It was their own choice to put themselves in the spotlight, and if they are embarrassed on the world stage by the world's nations they must deal with it as a foreseeable consequence.
In the end, it is doubtful that our government will take any action and boycott the opening ceremony. But with some European nations strongly considering the possibility, let us hope that the United States follows suit. China will suffer nothing more than embarrassment, but the message will be clear; the world has taken notice of their most egregious policies, and does not approve.
Dan Davidson '11 is willing to brave the smog if anyone has extra Olympics tickets
