There has been a lot of nonsense written about the Olympic torch relay.
It’s no sacred cow. The torch relay was invented by Hitler’s film maker Leni Riefenstahl for the 1936 Games in Berlin. (Hardly a regime with whom the Chinese organizers want to associate.)
Did no one in Beijing foresee that over 130 days, 85,000mi, there might be protests?
Why take the torch into Tibet?
That’s simply asking for trouble. The worst is yet to come.
Perhaps we should be listening to this guy …
That’s exactly right. Support the Olympics. Support the right to protest. Non-violent protest, of course.
1980 Olympian Ron Galimore ran the torch in San Francisco.
“It was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience,†said Galimore, who is the vice president for events, Olympic relations and men’s program for USA Gymnastics.
I would too, if offered the chance. For me it would be honouring sport. Not somehow indirectly supporting the totalitarian Chinese government.
Arguably the world’s best ultra-long distance runner, Dean Karnazes, spoke out strongly on his blog as to why he ran.
But if you refuse to carry the torch. Boycott the Olympics. Remove every product made in China from your home — I’ll support your right to do that too.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 