2008 Olympics - Page 3

**I_try_pregame** · 08-15-2008, 03:37 PM

Listen I believe that holding the Olympics in China was a great move. It will show the ignorant countries *cough cough* the US *cough cough* that even though a country has a form of government we do not approve of the people aren't happy. We believe that our government and our way of living is the best way and how wrong we are. The people in rural china have been living the same way for thousands of years and have still managed to survive. If the US keeps on living the way it is we will destroy the world we hold most dear.

As for most medals it's the USA or China. Gold medals I think China will have and most medals will be the USA.

**Hodizzle** · 08-15-2008, 03:42 PM

Hmmm, I hadn't realized there was as much controversy around this as there is. I don't like the news (it's almost all negative) so I don't watch/read it. I don believe that some of the customs/laws are unfair such as not serving blacks and mongolians. And I can't really tell you how I feel that could be fixed. Do I think that they should treat everyone fairly while they are there? Yes. As a matter of fact, I feel they should be treated fairly always, however, if those are their laws, what can be done about it?

As far as pollution, while it does give an unfair advantage (probably anyway) to the athletes from polluted countries (such as China and Korea, probably others), the fact is that every place is going to have different environmental conditions. The US has pollution problems as well and many places do. Is it fair to say that the Olympics can't be held in this country and that country and that country, but it can be held here, here, and here? No.

As far as politics go, China isn't the only one with fucked up politics, as has been stated the US has some bad stuff too. We had the Olympics here what like 12 years ago now or is it 8? Anyway, who are we to judge another country's politics. They don't agree with ours as many people don't, and we don't agree with theirs, so we should just agree to disagree and focus on the sports.

Lol, I think me and Steph have very similar opinions on the US so I'll leave it at that.

Oh, and I think US will probably get the most medals but China might beat us out in gold.

Kaligor · 08-16-2008, 04:34 AM

Here in Sweden the Olympics being held in China is a HUGE controversy. Many people feel that due to the huge amount of human rights problems that China is having they are an inappropriate host. There have been literally hundreds of documentary films airing on tv in the year leading up to the games. Many of them focus on how the people who live in Bejing have been forced to relocate simply because they appear "too poor" and would "look bad" for China to have them around.

Personally I agree with this view. I do not believe that China is going to change ANYTHING about their communist brutality. Why would they? They are being rewarded for their way of life because of being awarded the games! Obviously the international committee who selected them felt that they have already changed enough to "earn" their right to host the games. They have no motivation to change further.

The games being in China will only reinforce their view that communism is the best way, capitalism can be bent to the will of communism, and that human rights are only important if you appear to be respecting them, actual acts against basic human rights standards don't count if nobody sees them!

Of course it is easy to judge from the outside, and especially in a nation like Sweden where the government has basically no problems compared with some other nations, but I think that every country should aspire to be the best they can possibly be before being rewarded with something like the Olympics. I personally feel China was not there yet. Many other nations were more deserving.

But, I also feel that at least this way we are learning more about their culture than perhaps we would ever have done in our lifetime, because their government did partially open the gates on information, finally. So a little good has come out of this.

~~*Mrs. Kyo*~~ · 08-19-2008, 04:52 PM

I personally don't have any feelings about the Olympics in Beijing. I did enjoy the grand opening ceremony, and do believe that it was certainly alright to have the competitions there. Afterall, the Olympics were meant to be open to all athletes from any country, and by tradition...the locations were nominated and voted upon. So, yeah...it's a good place.

I wish I were there for the opening...

Kaligor · 08-20-2008, 05:33 AM

Yes the opening was amazing but it was also a bit creepy for me, I am very anti-communist so seeing all those people moving as one although incredible, also raised the hair on the back of my neck from "oh god thats creepy" feelings. I guess I have a deep down terror that the communists will come back in Russia, gang up with those from China and North Korea and then try to start a nuclear war, just like in 1984...

**oneone** · 08-21-2008, 11:01 AM

I don't mind where olympics is held but when they were still deciding between China and another country which I forgot the name of, I'll go with China. I do think that they made the right choice. Even though China/Beijing is known for their pollution, having the event held in Beijing really pressured China to do something about their pollution which I think is a good thing.

As for the medals, since it's already coming to an end (methinks), I think China will get most of the gold medals.

**Axed** · 08-21-2008, 11:05 AM

I think USA will get the most medals, I mean every time I turn on the TV they're dominating some kind of sport. Basketball, SOFTBALL, etc.
I can almost understand why they're taking baseball & softball out of the Olympics. I hate them for it, but damn, we're good. I'm pretty sure the USA softball team has already thrown two no-hitters. But of course, they play the games at like, 4 AM my time. Not that I'm not up, but I'm usually not watching TV.

**GotRice[?]** · 08-21-2008, 12:30 PM

Lol, who laughed their asses off when both the american men and female relay teams dropped the batons! HAHAHA

tbf, Great Britain were disqualified cus our fourth lane runner ran too early.

sccrchckV705 · 08-21-2008, 01:33 PM

I don't think that it was a good idea for the 2008 Olympics to be held in Beijing because of the riots and what-not; however, I don't believe that it is anyone else's business but China's as for how they run their country. Just because the United States thinks they are better than everyone else, doesn't mean that we have the right to bombard other countries and tell them how to run them. Also, if the lack of rights, political views, and other things were so bad, China has a very large, knowledgable population and something would probably be brought up about it.
I believe that the total medal count will be close for the United States and China, and I'm hoping United States will win.

~~*Mrs. Kyo*~~ · 08-21-2008, 05:43 PM

Hehe..China is totally bombed out in people.... Someday, they will take over the world.. I mean...look...if all 1.3B people went on a rampage...THAT would be like...the end of the world.

They have the people to win medals....natural selection in play.