Olympic preview

For all it's commercialism - and this year the pollution and totalitarian politics associated with China - I'm still planning to watch plenty of Olympics the next two weeks.  I hope that the US wins more medals than China, that the Chinese government is embarrassed by the air pollution, and that at least a few athletes protest or at least speak out while in Beijing.

The Post has featured some good articles in the run up to the opening ceremony, especially Sally Jenkins' piece on Sunday.   They also ran a front page story today on activist and fellow Tar Heel Joey Cheeks being denied a visa to visit Beijing during the Games.  Even their generally lame blog, usually entitled DC Sports Bog (bog, get it!) has been re-christened the DC Sports Smog.  

A lot of the press has focused on Tibet (an over blown story; the Dalai Lama is basically a hippie Ayatollah who does not believe in elections, etc., and doesn't even support a Free Tibet, just an autonomous one that is still part of Communist China) but I wish the press would cover the more mundane fact that people can't vote and there is no freedom of the press, etc. in China.   It seems that Tibet gets more ink then the fact that 1.2 billion people have none of the democratic rights we take for granted.   

But despite that complaint, I think the press is doing a good job.  I doubt NBC will honestly report on the environmental and political problems associated with a totalitarian-capitalist state hosting the Olympics.  But I hope the print media will be more aggressive.   There may be hope for broadcasters other than NBC pointing out problems; my man Justin found an article at ESPN.com on the NBA and USA Basketball pressuring LaBron James, who is apparently becoming involved in Darfur, to stay silent during the Games about China's support for Sudan.  Nice to hear the right-wingers like Colangelo and Krzyzewski silencing athletes with a conscience. 

Speaking of which, it would be nice for President Bush to intervene on behalf of Joey Cheeks and his visa.  After all, I believe President Bush wants to spread democracy in Asia.   I'm sure he'll say something when he speaks in Thailand on Thursday.

The cases of James and Cheek remind me that in addition to the media, I really hope a few athletes stand up and say something about the lack of freedom, democracy and clean air in China.  There is nothing more American than speaking out, and you would think that China being a Communist country would make speaking out a no-brainer for folks on the left and right.  

One very positive sign from Team USA is the vote by team members to select Lopez Lomong, a former Lost Boy of Sudan, to be the flag bearer during the opening ceremony parade.  Great to see an immigrant selected, one who overcame so much to make it to America, let along the team. But also a great finger in the eye of Sudan's ally.

But as usual, money is more important that values or democracy, and the money involved and the pressure that comes with it will probably result in far fewer athletes speaking out that one would hope.  

A few more Olympic thoughts

• Americans have a special responsibility to speak out during the Olympics, but so do Greeks.  I hope Greek athletes aren't cowed by their privileged position at the front of the parade of nations enough to stay silent. What could be more un-Hellenic than a silent Greek!? Come on Stavro, say something about liberty and freedom while you're in Beijing!  We invented those two, also!
• Shocked to see the US women's soccer team lose today to Norway.  They should still advance to the medal round, and Norway is a very good team, but in the run up to the Olympics the American women had seemed to have worked out the kinks left over from their disappointing showing at last year's Women's World Cup.  
• As you know, I'm rooting for Greece to win the gold medal in men's hoops.  Mark your calendars: Ellas plays Krzyzewski's squad Thursday, August 14th at 8 am in group play.  I think both teams will advance to the medal round regardless of this tilt.  Finally, don't forget to vote on who you think will win the men's gold medal in hoops.