olympic handshaking

Today's the opening day of the Beijing Olympics 2008, in case you've missed that part of the news. Actually, although it's been impossible to miss the fact that the Olympics are being held in China this year, given all the anti-China protests and debates over the last few months, you may have lost excitment for the games themselves.

All the debate about whether China is 'fit' to host the Olympics and activists decrying that having the games in Beijing is against the spirit of the Olympics.... given that the original Olympics were only open to free men who spoke Greek (so no peasants please) and women were barred from even attending, I guess that's a good thing. And don't forget the Berlin Olympics in 1936, were the Olympics revived to forward the 'Aryan' ideal only?

Ok, so perhaps that is an unfair point - but if the spirit of the Olympics is to bring athletes together and promote global unity and fair, friendly, competition, then the violence of some of these protests is the real issue that has spoilt the Beijing Olympics, if anyone feels that they have been defiled. There are many problems, including human rights issues, that need to be addressed by the Chinese government, and pressure from the global community is what is needed. However, before condemning others, perhaps we should examine our own actions and motives first?

Personally, I think that it's too soon for China to host the Olympics - maybe in 8 or even 4 years time I would have felt more comfortable with it. I worry that in both social reform and economic terms they may do China more harm than good. However, I'm pleased to see how well the Chinese government has handled the earthquake disasters this year and even the free-Tibet protests that have made so many headlines. If anyone condemns me for that view, consider how far China has come in the last 20 years, and then attack me. I stand by my opinion.

Today should be a hopeful day though, both for China but also for all the competing athletes! Let's not forget the hard work and training that has gone into the games and instead celebrate that. How better than with an Olympic handshake - an commitment 'to hold ALL our governments to a higher standard of peace, justice and respect for human dignity', one you can also join in with. I'm still proud to call myself Chinese.

Enjoy watching the games! I hope they broadcast the badminton....