Reasons to Boycott the Olympics? · Global Voices
Richard Wanjohi

This post is part of our special coverage London 2012 Olympics.
With any major event, there are both celebrating and dissenting voices. The Olympics is no exception, and there are bloggers from across the world who are making their voices heard on why they will be boycotting the London 2012 Summer Games.
Cutting the Gordian Knot blog says:
Radiation and rockets at the London Olympics you ask? Yes, more than 7,000 tons of radioactive debris pushed just to the side to build the Olympic stadium and anti-aircraft missIes anchored on the rooftops of private London residences. War games, military and private security forces patting down the throngs at a cost of £1 billion ($1.54 billion) just for “security” alone, this is the straw which has finally broken the camel’s back for my lifetime of Olympics watching…
The shining moments which stand out for me were the gold medals of track athlete Kip Keino of Kenya in the 1500 meters, Bob Beamon’s “Leap of the Century” long jump, a record which would stand for almost 23 years and of course who alive then could forget the introduction of Dick Fosbury’s unorthodox jumping style known as the “Fosbury Flop”, revolutionizing the sport of the high jump.
For me though it was not just about the competition. Even at that age I understood the games represented a coming together of mankind. It was a stark contrast to the images of the Vietnam War, the police actions against youth war and civil rights protests in America on the news nightly which I had already been exposed to. To that three year old, those games were a vision of what could be and what should be, people coming together for a common interest from all cultures, languages and races in peace and cooperation.
And sums up:
As the deadline for the games approach though some Londoners have begun to stand up and against their city and their homes being turned into a police state for a sporting event.
Campaigners against the Olympic missiles join the protest walk, stopping at the proposed missile sites and illegally enclosed public green areas. Image by P Nutt, copyright Demotix (09/06/12).
OneFinalBlog says:
So, to voice my strong protest against the British tyranny, violent occupation, colonization, artificial famines, pauperization and bloody partitioning of India (and countless ‘other’ deaths by prison, torture and hanging) – which caused me, my family, my ancestors and my people lifelong misery, hopelessness and trauma, I am boycotting the global, athletic theater of corporate media and billionaire establishments – now known as the Olympics. I am boycotting the Summer Olympics of London, 2012.
Continuing:
Today’s Olympic Games are anything but not-for-profit, and they are anything but a movement, Michael Jordan and his ilks, with help from global corporations and their media, have destroyed once and for all the pristine athletic camaraderie. I offer my profound apologies to Bob, Larisa, Mark, Olga, Nadia and everybody else. Sorry, I had to outgrow it, my lifelong idols. A noted observer named Helen Jefferson Lenskyj said this. “ Olympism is more about profiteering, exploitation, and cynicism than sport.” …She is absolutely right! But for now, I want to concentrate on the London and British part of it.
The blogger summarises the post by voicing similar concerns about the Commonwealth Games in India:
I am paying the price of such violation of humanity and forced occupation all my life. I have no other way to symbolize my lifelong anger. I am a non-violent. I am, therefore, boycotting the London Olympics, 2012 to vent my protests. I did the same when India hosted the now-infamous Commonwealth Games a couple of years ago. The rulers looted, exploited and lied then, and they’re doing it now. I am voicing my strong opposition against those rulers and their violation of human rights. Would you join me in this cause and protest against the British government? Demand an apology and reparation! Thank you for your global solidarity and support. Please share your protests with others you know. Believe me, there are millions of people out there – all over the world – who would want to join this cause. Let’s reach out of them.
The issue of honoring the Israeli athletes slain in the 1972 Munich Games seems to be still raw to some, like this blogger:
The Israeli Olympic squad should withdraw from the London Games, starting next Friday. Seeing as the International Olympic Committee is clearly more concerned about upsetting Islamofascist anti-Semites than marking, with a minute’s silence, the memory of the 11 innocent Israelis slaughtered by Palestinian terrorists at the 1972 Munich Games, we have no place there.
Of course it would be horrible for those athletes whose dreams, and years of training, would come to nowt – they would have to be recognized, and compensated, by the State for their great personal sacrifice – but Israel must do what is right: Jewish blood is not cheap, and to participate in the London Olympics, after the IOC’s shameful gutlessness, would be a disrespect to the 11 martyrs and their families. I, for one, will not be watching these Games. And should Islamic terror rear its diabolic head during their course, I trust that the IOC and that tosser Coe . . . apologies, Lord Coe will be consistent and refrain from public condemnation and/or commemoration of its victims.
Some of the issues raised should be of concern and food for thought for those who decide to watch. It will also help the International Olympic Committee and future local organising committees what not to overlook and address.
Will you be boycotting the London 2012 Olympics for any reason?
This post is part of our special coverage London 2012 Olympics.