and the athletes
It’s heartless of me to say this, but denying Beijing a propaganda coup on the lines of the 1936 Berlin Olympics is more important than whether or not the athletes get their feelings hurt.
The games will go on. The athletes will compete. Some will get their medals.
It was Beijing’s decision to try and turn the torch run into a long-playing extravaganza showing the world how wonderful China is. Well, if you want respect from the civilized world, it’s a good idea to act civilized.
Beijing isn’t, people notice, and are calling them on it.
Tough.
It’s heartless of me to say this, but denying Beijing a propaganda coup on the lines of the 1936 Berlin Olympics is more important than whether or not the athletes get their feelings hurt.
The games will go on. The athletes will compete. Some will get their medals.
It was Beijing’s decision to try and turn the torch run into a long-playing extravaganza showing the world how wonderful China is. Well, if you want respect from the civilized world, it’s a good idea to act civilized.
Beijing isn’t, people notice, and are calling them on it.
Tough.