The Olympics Thread, London 2012, Games of the XXX Olympiad, 27th July - 12th August

[sheeds]

Nazi germany weren't banned either. The olympics have never excluded people for political reasons, no matter how murderous and insane their leaders are.

South Africa ?

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Nazi germany weren't banned either. The olympics have never excluded people for political reasons, no matter how murderous and insane their leaders are.

Its about time they did, such insane nations that subject their people to such cruelty deserve no place in the Olympics.

 

[Allezfan]

South Africa ?

Got me there. Exception that proves the rule.

 

[sheeds]

Got me there. Exception that proves the rule.

I post this as someone who is anti-racist but it seems odd that nations involved in systematic murder , starving or robbing its own people , spying on or oppressing its people and you can pick whatever nations you think fit this criteria since the inception of the Games are allowed to compete whilst sourh Africa was banned during its Aparthied days.

 

[sbbefc]

Why should the 99% of decent north korean people have to miss out on the olympic games? Dont they suffer enough? bit unfair to deprive them at competing at the top. I dont think their grand leader would be arsed if they got banned anyway.

 

[Allezfan]

I post this as someone who is anti-racist but it seems odd that nations involved in systematic murder , starving or robbing its own people , spying on or oppressing its people and you can pick whatever nations you think fit this criteria since the inception of the Games are allowed to compete whilst sourh Africa was banned during its Aparthied days.

I think most black south africans would argue their government stole, oppressed and systematically murdered them too, but yeah given that Nazi Germany, Stalin's USSR, Pol Pots Cambodia, Uganda, Mao's China, Argentina under the junta. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran and Zimbabwe have competed south africa's exclusion does look odd.

 

[neil999]

I post this as someone who is anti-racist but it seems odd that nations involved in systematic murder , starving or robbing its own people , spying on or oppressing its people and you can pick whatever nations you think fit this criteria since the inception of the Games are allowed to compete whilst sourh Africa was banned during its Aparthied days.

im guessing, but it might be that south africa had apartheid as actual laws but north korea et al are a bit 'cleverer' bout how they discriminate/oppress

 

[sheeds]

I think most black south african would argue their government stole, oppressed and syste,atically mrudered them too, but yeah given that Nazi Germany, Stalin's USSR, Pol Pots Cambodia, Uganda, Mao's China, Argentina under the junta. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran and Zimbabwe have competed south africa's exclusion does look odd.

Mate I love south Africa as a country and I've got friends over there so I certainly wouldn't argue with you on the first point I was more dealing with the fact everyone else seems to have no 'sanctions' imposed on them by the IOC whatever their behaviour

 

[Allezfan]

Mate I love south Africa as a country and I've got friends over there so I certainly wouldn't argue with you on the first point I was more dealing with the fact everyone else seems to have no 'sanctions' imposed on them by the IOC whatever their behaviour

It's bizarre that Idi Amim could sent his countrymen to the olympics but de Klerk couldn't.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Why should the 99% of decent north korean people have to miss out on the olympic games? Dont they suffer enough? bit unfair to deprive them at competing at the top. I dont think their grand leader would be arsed if they got banned anyway.

Their 'grand leader' is obsessed with them appearing normal to the outside world, and what we see of North Korea is but a fraction of the reality. Most of the decent people in North Korea don't own TVs that show English TV. The only thing they get to see is what the North Korean station shows them, and occasionally a film which always has morales and respecting the great leader at heart.

I doubt many of them see anything of the Olympics at all, and those that do will see very brief excerpts of their successes. They wont even get 2% of the coverage we do.

 

[sheeds]

It's bizarre that Idi Amim could sent his countrymen to the olympics but de Klerk couldn't.

There is a list of leaders including mass murders and alleged cannibals that could do the same bizarrely . in fairness I think the African nations banded together and threatened their own boycotts if they weren't banned which was probably a major factor

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Ther was another country that had institutionalised racial segregation until the 60s that was allowed to participate. Can't remember who it was.

 

[sbbefc]

People who compete in sport will still be aware and im sure they would like to compete, I dont see how stopping them from competing has any positive effect on the whole situation.

 

[sheeds]

People who compete in sport will still be aware and im sure they would like to compete, I dont see how stopping them from competing has any positive effect on the whole situation.

In fairness I actually think the whole anti-Aparthied movement and the banning of South Africa from the majority of sporting events and prevention of tours both sporting and musical and the isolation that brought is considered to have to instrumental in the changes that happened. The bonus is that they became very self reliant and you can live like a king for relative pennies when you visit

Anyway I'm off out and apologies if ive been part of going off topic , if you are in later the scouser Tom stalker boxes at 10

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

People who compete in sport will still be aware and im sure they would like to compete, I dont see how stopping them from competing has any positive effect on the whole situation.

Its not about the people, its about the 'government', or despot as is the case. The point is, you've got to start making an example of them and let them know that what they're doing is unacceptable and barbaric.