For me at least, the politics recede once the Games start. I love the track and field, swimming, and soccer events in particular. (But NOT gymnastics for a week straight).

>FWIW, if it weren't for the Olympics the plight of the Tibet people would have been buried somewhere on page 52, if it's reported at all.
>
>I use to be a big fan of the Olympics. Now, I doubt if I'll watch any of it.
>
>
>
>>I guess no one agrees with the Dalai Lama then?
>>
>>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/world/asia/11dalai.html
>>
>>
>>>Security detail will not be welcome in Australia for the torch. Perhaps we'll see some action there. Let the games begin <g>
>>>
>>>>Probably so.
>>>>
>>>>So far the Chinese don't seem to be getting the global coming-out party they wanted with the Olympics. It's been lots of bad publicity, not good publicity. And with them being so unrepentant it may not get a lot better. Already they are cracking down on dissidents (even more so than usual), four months before the games. Spectators haven't exactly been tossing flowers at the Olympic torch on its global tour, either. You probably heard there were big protests along the route in Paris and San Francisco, to the point that the torch was temporarily put on a bus and taken off course, rapido. Less mentioned was that the torch was accompanied not only by local law enforcement but also a Chinese security detail that was traveling with it. Two countries coming up on the tour -- Australia is one of them, I don't remember the other -- have already said the security detail will not be welcome in their country.
>>>>
>>>>>Perhaps chinese were already warned. Rogge telling them "I'll try to make believe I'm really angry over the current situation Grrrr"
>>>>>
>>>>>>I was surprised the other day when Rogge criticized the Chinese over Tibet. When did IOC leaders grow balls?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>The Beijing Olympics are going to be a disaster. The IOC deserves every protest, smog-filled stadium and act of defiance they get broadcast around the world. Only the arrogance of the elitist IOC could actually think that awarding the Olympics to China would result in any social change.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Reap what you sew.
>>>>>>>http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,349229,00.html
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/33723.html