Reflections on sunday: Truth behind the China’s Olympics

I am a concerned citizen of the globe. I can’t help it and therefore I have decided to join the world in ‘getting concerned’ about China during the Olympics that kicked off on August 8. A lot has been said and done about the 2008 controversy marred Olympics from the day Beijing was pronounced the host city. Officials like movie Director Steven Spielberg resigned their posts on the organising committee in protest over China’s foreign policies and human rights record. China’s stance on Tibet did more harm than good to the already tainted image of the games. I also watched a news clip where Chinese policemen were clobbering Tibetan protestors like they were not part of the human race and I had to rethink my position about China hosting the 2008 games. The Olympic Torch this time round was welcomed not by happy merry making sports fanatics during its traditional journey around the world, but by bitter protestors opposed to China hosting the 2008 Olympics. Air pollution concerns have been at centre stage with many concerned that the high levels of pollution will affect the athletes. China responded by lavishing $17.6 billion towards tackling the pollution problem head-on, developing a sophiscated missile which it will send to the skies to purify the air before it comes down to be inhaled by people. Even after promising ‘blue skies’ many did not buy the idea as Beijing remained shrouded by the ‘murky-sauna haze’ from pollutants. Thousands of industries, factories and construction sites which emitted pollutants were closed in a clamp down by authorities. Over 3.3 million cars were cleared from the roads and only new ones were allowed to move. But still the world was not contended, a lot was left to be desired. Then came the talk that China has abused every existing human right in the name of ensuring successful Olympics. Thousands of people have been forced to do hard labor on Olympic sites in order to beat the deadline, curfews have been imposed, journalists arrested and athletes subjected to harsh training all in the name of beating the United States in the medal standings. However, China has endured the storm and is currently hosting the 2008 games with no outstanding boycotts despite the games being marred by doping scandals. Expectations are high; competition fever is raging. To be continued… Contact: kagire_eddie@yahoo.com