A Challenging Olympics

I love the Olympics. It’s amazing to watch the world’s greatest athletes all take the same playing field together.

Like so many time before, these Beijing Olympics have been wrought with controversy. Many people feel that President Bush should not have agreed to attend the opening ceremonies. They think that boycotting the event would’ve shown his concern about China’s horrid human rights’ record. But he said not attending would’ve been an affront to the Chinese people and he felt no need to connect the athletic event and politics.

Both Barack Obama and John McCain have echoed the calls of human rights groups, saying they would have boycotted the opening ceremonies had they been in the president’s place.

It’s a difficult position that politics have to play. These young people have worked hard - often most of their lives - for the chance to compete at the Olympics and for them, there’s nothing political about the event at all. They merely want to show their talents on a worldwide platform against incredible athletes.

I wish we could keep it about the athletes and their sports, but I know we can’t. To them, I say congratulations for making it that far. We’re impressed and proud and will be rooting for you. Bring home the gold!