These people call themselves democrats and hide behind the myth that the Olympics aren't about politics. All Olympic Games are about politics. And Beijing 2008 is the most political Olympic Games ever. It is about China showing the world that it is now a superpower. It is about China intimidating its opponents, both internal and external. But above all it is about showing the power of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its firm grip on power.
When Beijing bid for the Olympics it promised to:
"... give the media complete freedom to report when they come to China... We are confident that the Games coming to China not only promote our economy but also enhances all social conditions, including education, health and human rights."
All of these promises have been broken. If anything human rights have actually got worse in the run up to the games as the CPC tries to put on a flawless show.
The corrupt, self-serving members of the International Olympic Committee, led by the oily Jacques Rogge, may heap praise on the organisers for their preparation but this has been achieved at a great cost to many ordinary Chinese people. Millions have been forcibly evicted to make way for the Olympic venues. Luxuries such as planning law and planning appeals are unheard of in Communist China. Most have received no compensation for their loss. Meanwhile, developers and corrupt CPC officials have made a killing from the land and property they have stolen.
Hundreds of thousands have worked in slave like conditions in order to build the perfect venues. Many thousands have died. Luxuries such as health and safety are unheard of in Communist China. Meanwhile, developers and corrupt CPC officials have made a killing from the construction boom.
Many of the foreign apologists for the Games have been seduced by developments in Beijing. However, what they fail to realise is that most ordinary Chinese will not benefit from the developments nor the Games. It is the tiny elite that will benefit from the Games. They have already made a fortune from the construction of the venues. And it is they who will be spectators at the Games. Ordinary Chinese could never afford to buy tickets to any of the events.
The CPC has used the Games as pretext to crackdown on internal opposition, particularly from ethnic minorities. Uncorroborated allegations of terrorist threats and even unverified terrorist attacks have been used as an excuse to place many ethnic areas under de facto martial law. Tens of thousands have been detained without charge and foreigners have been barred from visiting these areas.
And it's not just ethnic minorities who been a victim of this crackdown. Anyone who could potentially threaten the image of the Games has been detained or removed from the area.
It is China's broken promises about the free media that have achieved most coverage internationally. Although it has lifted the ban on websites such as Amnesty International and the BBC after much international criticism, many other sites remain blocked. And the IOC is perfectly happy about this. Even the sites that been unblocked are only accessible by foreign journalists - the Chinese public are still prevented from visiting these sites.
Although the foreign media have ostensibly been given complete freedom to travel they are still banned from sensitive sites such as Tiananmen Square and are followed by the secret police wherever they go. Electronic surveillance of foreigners is the norm. But the greatest restrictions have been placed upon the Chinese media. They of course are banned from reporting about any protests or any bad news for that matter. Every day they are e-mailed by the CPC telling them what they should report.
The CPC's micro management of the Games has included some ridiculous edicts about mundane issues. The Chinese have been told how to behave in front of foreigners (don't ask them how much they earn), they have been told what not to wear (white socks and black shoes), they have even been told what they shouldn't carry on the subway (TVs and fridges)!
As the Games progress more of China's promises will unravel and blemishes will begin to appear in the flawless Games. But the hypocrites will still continue to delude themselves that the Olympics aren't about politics.
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