08-08-08

So if you didn’t already know, today is August the 8th of 2008, otherwise referred to as 08/08/08. It's the first day of the Olympics which means it's time for the traditionally glamorous opening ceremonies.













Now everyone knows the whole event is shrouded in China’s poor human rights record. I recently watched this thing on CBC showing the mixed views of the people in China. In some of the people there, the Olympic games is instilling a sense of pride and duty in their nation. Some people are excited for the games and are actively participating in the campaigns that the government is fitting into their preparation. They are forcing last minute etiquette lessons on the people of Beijing, telling everyone little tips of politeness, anything from not spitting to not gambling.

Other people however are devastated, as the government is evicting thousands of people with little to no compensation. This is leaving many of the people homeless and in complete poverty while the bulldozers make room for China’s urban renewal that will continue after the games.

As for me, I won’t boycott the Olympics. I don’t know how much it would help if I did. I seriously don’t think the Chinese government will change their human rights policy to encourage a couple million more people to watch the games. I also don’t think it’s fair to our athletes who have worked so hard. I even don’t think boycotting companies that make their stuff in China, because that will just put more impoverished people out of their jobs. I think it’s just important to raise awareness of these issues. Tell people what’s going on. Find alternatives and financially empower companies and organizations that can actually help.

Anyways, to the lighter side of things, I heard that BMX and Moto-Cross will be added to the list of events for these games. I find it weird to have an action sport in the Olympics. (Below is a picture of the stadium housing the moto-cross and bmx events.)

I am just glad that it will only be the racing aspects of those activities. I would actually be really irritated if freestyle BMX became an Olympic event. And to think about that, I couldn’t imagine how much I’d flip out if skateboarding gave in to the Olympics too. I find the X-Games cheesy enough as is, the Olympics would just be too much. However, I’m fine with the rest of the Olympics. I find that the motivation and determination of these athletes should be an inspiration to all of us. However, I don’t think there’s room for skateboarding in the Olympics. Skateboarding is not meant to be surrounded by rules, like sports are. It’s more like an art that you can express yourself with, and do whatever you want with it. Let’s just hope that skateboarding stays out of the Olympics.