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Do the Olympics cause more harm than good?
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:30 pm
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:30 pm
I just watched a very informative Real Sports on HBO detailing problems with the Olympics in China, Sochi, and Rio. The IOC has always seemed very corrupt. The Olympics are fun to watch, but are they worth the problems they cause? Should we feel guilty watching them?
10
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:35 pm to Decker
Break down the problems
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:43 pm to Decker
They just need to stop handing Olympics and World Cups to countries that don't have the resources, man/brainpower, or infrastructure to successfully host them without adverse effects.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:46 pm to TheWalrus
quote:
them without adverse effects.
You just ruled out everybody. Yes, even us.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:47 pm to tigerskin
China - hundreds of thousands forcibly displaced from their homes, humans rights activists jailed and killed, the government kept a milk contamination problem secret which led to infant deaths.
Sochi - Putin used it to boost his popularity and possibly to springboard into Ukraine. Incarceration (and at least one assassination) of those who spoke out. Massive doping scheme set up by the Russian government.
Rio - the poor again displaced from homes, terribly polluted water, Zika virus.
The IOC is corrupt and basically gets bribed, often by authoritarian governments who use the games to boost their image at the expense of their own people.
The parts of the show dealing with parents of a dead Chinese baby and a Paralympian who lost his legs in Tiananmen Square and was barred from competing are particularly heartbreaking.
Sochi - Putin used it to boost his popularity and possibly to springboard into Ukraine. Incarceration (and at least one assassination) of those who spoke out. Massive doping scheme set up by the Russian government.
Rio - the poor again displaced from homes, terribly polluted water, Zika virus.
The IOC is corrupt and basically gets bribed, often by authoritarian governments who use the games to boost their image at the expense of their own people.
The parts of the show dealing with parents of a dead Chinese baby and a Paralympian who lost his legs in Tiananmen Square and was barred from competing are particularly heartbreaking.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:48 pm to Decker
The Summer Olympics need to be in the same place every time. They should be held in Greece every year. It would make them financially viable for the economies of the host country again.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:49 pm to Decker
Used to love the Olympics but haven't watched in over a decade. The corruption has really screwed up the integrity of the games.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:49 pm to CaptainBrannigan
That was brought up. It would also eliminate the need for bribing the IOC, which means it probably won't happen.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:55 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
Well everything in the world has some adverse effects. I mean when the bad outweighs the good. I'm sure Tokyo 2020 is going to be fantastic for Japan.
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:56 pm to CaptainBrannigan
even with the infrastructure already in place the Greeks won't be able to afford hosting the games for probably another decade.
but Athens certainly needs to be the permanent host in the near future
but Athens certainly needs to be the permanent host in the near future
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:56 pm to TheWalrus
Most cities in the US can't even host a super bowl without losing money.
It's just really difficult to make money off something like the Olympics.
I agree that Tokyo will be well run. No guarantees they'll make money off it.
It's just really difficult to make money off something like the Olympics.
I agree that Tokyo will be well run. No guarantees they'll make money off it.
This post was edited on 8/12/16 at 11:58 pm
Posted on 8/12/16 at 11:57 pm to Decker
Yes.
It's been widely reported for over 3 decades.
It's bloated, corrupt and doesn't really bring the prestige and revenue as people think.
They need to shrink it.
Too many sports.
It's been widely reported for over 3 decades.
It's bloated, corrupt and doesn't really bring the prestige and revenue as people think.
They need to shrink it.
Too many sports.
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:01 am to Decker
quote:
Do the Olympics cause more harm than good?
quote:
terribly polluted water, Zika virus
The Olympics caused water pollution and the Zika Virus?
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:04 am to 1ranter1
hosting the Olympics in Brazil excaserbated those issues
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:05 am to Decker
quote:
China - hundreds of thousands forcibly displaced from their homes, humans rights activists jailed and killed, the government kept a milk contamination problem secret which led to infant deaths.
Sochi - Putin used it to boost his popularity and possibly to springboard into Ukraine. Incarceration (and at least one assassination) of those who spoke out. Massive doping scheme set up by the Russian government.
Rio - the poor again displaced from homes, terribly polluted water, Zika virus.
All of this existed and happened in these countries before the Olympics. Peiple are displaced all the time by these governments for various projects. Zika is the Olympics fault? Is the IPC corrupt? Absolutley. Would having the Olympics is Athens all the time change anything? frick no. Greece is more corrupt than the IOC and poorer than Brazil. The wealthy countries of Europe, America and even Asia have no problem hosting the games. But we have to give the poor countries their chance too. Not having the games in Brazil would have zero effect on the quality of life there. Gumbel is a hack.
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:09 am to 1ranter1
Come on, man, I gave abbreviated answers.
The water pollution in Rio is a serious threat to the athletes. But because of all of the money tied up in the Olympics, the games must go on.
As for the Zika virus, a lot of people thought the games should be moved. Now there is a greater chance the virus will be spread to more countries.
The water pollution in Rio is a serious threat to the athletes. But because of all of the money tied up in the Olympics, the games must go on.
As for the Zika virus, a lot of people thought the games should be moved. Now there is a greater chance the virus will be spread to more countries.
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:17 am to Zappas Stache
Obviously, I didn't say the Olympics caused the Zika virus. But they could further its spread.
The question is not whether the Olympics caused China, Russia, etc to be corrupt (obviously not), but whether they exacerbate existing problems and/or provide these authoritarian regimes with massive amounts of propaganda.
I've always enjoyed watching the Olympics. I went to Atlanta in 1996. But it's not unreasonable to step back and consider whether or not our temporary enjoyment is worth it.
The question is not whether the Olympics caused China, Russia, etc to be corrupt (obviously not), but whether they exacerbate existing problems and/or provide these authoritarian regimes with massive amounts of propaganda.
I've always enjoyed watching the Olympics. I went to Atlanta in 1996. But it's not unreasonable to step back and consider whether or not our temporary enjoyment is worth it.
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:23 am to Decker
quote:
exacerbate existing problems and/or provide these authoritarian regimes with massive amounts of propaganda.
If you think anything would be different if Russia or China hadn't had Olympics you are smoking some good stuff. Sure, they exploit the games for their purposes but saying the Olympics gave Putin a springboard into Crimea is naive at best.
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:28 am to Zappas Stache
Would the governments be nicer if they hadn't had the Olympics? No. But would the people who were displaced, jailed, or killed be better off? Maybe.
One situation where the Olympics might have done some good politically was the banning of South Africa during apartheid. Allowing a country like China to host has a much different effect.
One situation where the Olympics might have done some good politically was the banning of South Africa during apartheid. Allowing a country like China to host has a much different effect.
Posted on 8/13/16 at 12:40 am to Decker
quote:
But would the people who were displaced, jailed, or killed be better off? Maybe.
They would have been displaced, jailed or killed for something else. That's the way these countries operate. I would argue having free trade or any trade with China has caused way more harm to people in that country than the Olympics could ever do. But then again we have sanctions against Russia and the people there are still fricked. And Brazil is a sort of democracy bit corruption is rampnt. it's a big, complicated issue that has nothing to do with the Olympics. And as far as displacing people, Jerry Jones forced many people from their homes to build his stadium. They were compensated but still forced to leave.
This post was edited on 8/13/16 at 12:47 am
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