Protests targeting China hosting the 2008 Olympic Games are not only hurting the 2008 games but more likely these actions will also hurt many future Games as well. Politics should *not* be a part of the Games. The International Olympic Committee voted for Beijing to host the 2008 Games based on their confidence that Beijing could organize an excellent Games. They didn’t let politics sway their decision nor should they have. Politics should *not* be a consideration in their choices for Games venues. When international leaders decide to boycott the Games, or boycott the opening ceremonies, they are *not* supporting the Games athletes. They are *not* supporting the *reason* for the Games. They rather are *sacrificing* the hard work of *all* athletes in their preparation for, and their competition in the Games on a world wide basis. For what reason? To make a political statement? Is that the best they can do? Must athletes *only* compete with others that have the same values, the same types of governments, and similar ideas? Would that be a *world* wide competion? If *any* countries were left out of the Games, would the winners *really* be winners?
Politics should *not* hold any priority in either the choice of venue nor the country of origin of the athletes allowed to participate. And athletes should not be manipulated for political reasons, but rather they should be allowed to compete freely with *all* other athletes worthy of competition.
