The Olympics is one opportunity every 4yrs where even mortal enemies cooperate. That’s good for the world.
Happily, it looks like no nation will boycott Beijing.
All the countries in a colour boycotted at least one Olympics of ’76, ’80 and ’84.
Still, in the U.S. election, grandstanding candidates talked about boycotting the opening ceremony, instead:
Hillary Clinton today called for George Bush to protest China’s human rights record by boycotting the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
Barack Obama, said last week that he is conflicted over whether the US should participate fully in the August Olympics given China’s dismal human rights record.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, recently called for a Bush boycott of the opening ceremonies after meeting with exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama in India.
For once I agree with George W:
… Bush remains committed to treating the Olympics purely as a sporting event rather than an opportunity for political gestures. The White House reiterated today that Bush would travel to China as planned.
Quotes taken from the Guardian in April, 2008.
Iraq, however, has been banned from the 2008 Olympic Games, their 7 qualified athletes now ineligible.
Related: Boycotting and Banning: The Real Olympic Sports – Mental Floss
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