The Olympics and politics
On the eve of the 2008 Olympic Games
in Beijing there is a lot of talk about China, politics and sport. The
International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Chinese regime tell us
that the Olympics are neutral and only about sport, not politics. But a
look back in time tells us something different.
In fact
many Olympiads have been surrounded by political controversy: Berlin
1936, Munich 1972, Mexico City 1968, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984
to name just a few. But perhaps the most politically overt statement
made at an Olympic Games was when American athletes Tommie Smith and
John Carlos performed the Black Power salute on the medal podium at the
1968 Games in Mexico City. This was an anti racist and pro civil rights
protest.
Smith had won the 200 metre
race, with Australia's Peter Norman coming second, Carlos came in
third. When the three went to collect their medals at the podium the
two American athletes (who were influenced by the Black Panthers) wore
a single black glove and received their medals shoeless. This was to
symbolise black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to
represent black pride and Carlos wore beads. All three athletes also
wore Olympic Project for Human Rights badges.
1968 Olympics 200 meter final watch the clip from 5:30 minutes.
1968 Olympics What was the raised fists about?
Tommie Smith, the winner of the 200 meters, talks about the protest now.
What is less known is that Norman not only donned the badge but he also
suggested that Smith and Carlos share the black gloves used in their
salute. When asked about his support of Smith and Carlos' protest,
Norman said he supported their cause and also opposed his own
government's White Australia policy.
The picture of the three on the podium with Smith and Carlos giving the
salute with their heads bowed made front page news around the world.
Subsequently the IOC ordered that Smith and Carlos be suspended from
the US team and banned from the Olympic Village. This led to the two
athletes being expelled from the Games.
Smith and Carlos were ostracised by the US sporting establishment in
the following years and were attacked in the media. Australia's Olympic
authorities reprimanded Norman and he was also ostracised by the press.
Despite Norman running qualifying times for both the 100m and 200m
during 1971 and 1972 the Australian Olympic track team did not send him
to the 1972 Olympics. The Australian Olympic authorities also attempted
to exclude Norman from the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney.
The fact that Smith, Carlos and Norman were all punished by the
authorities for their views only proves that the Olympics are not at
all ‘neutral’. The IOC is in fact very political. It is just that they
represent the views of the establishment, the big business sponsors and
the host country.
The Olympics have always been a reflection of the political situation.
That is why the issues surrounding Tibet, human rights abuses and
worker exploitation in China can not be separated from the 2008 Olympic
Games.
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Complete article from the Socialisit Party, Australia site