To the Editor,
Re: Olympics show a better world, Opinion, Aug. 9.
I was surprised by the editorial of Aug. 9.
At the very least, I would suggest you are ill-informed or, at best, Pollyanna-ish.
You stated “The Olympic Games are a two-week celebration of youth, goodwill and ultimate effort … For two weeks, the world converges in one place, without politics, religion or greed.”
Really?
You are unaware that the International Olympic Committee refused to allow a moment of silence to commemorate the 11 Israeli athletes gunned down at the Munich Games 40 years ago by Arab terrorists, but were OK about observing a moment of silence for British people blown up by Arab terrorists July, 2005 in the London Underground?
You are unaware that U.S. president Jimmy Carter, in 1980, imposed a boycott of the Moscow Summer Games over Russia’s Afghanistan policies. Sixty-five countries did not participate. Russia and 13 other communist nations then boycotted the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
South Africa was banned from the Olympic Games from 1964 until 1992 because of politics.
At these 2012 Games, one athlete was not permitted to compete as an athlete from South Sudan; he could compete only if he represented both Sudans.
Do you need more examples?
I suggest that the Olympic Games you describe exist only inside your own head.
Theo Klewansky
Nanaimo