Should the U.S. participate in in the Beijin Olympics
 

I'm not very educated on the contraversy going on, yet im supposed write a 2 page essay answering the question. Im hoping to get some other peoples idea's and opinions to help me out with the subject.

So, what do you all think?

Sport should transcend politics.
The contestant's don't give a fuck and why should politicians hijack a world sporting event for their own aims.
Stick to that ideal for two pages and you'll never have to even touch on politics.
Easy peasy.

holy crap!!! what the hell is wrong with the education system today. forcing students to write essays about topics they aren't immediately familiar with so that they have to research and learn things on their own. how draconian.

(sorry, i can't help being a bit of a jackass when people ask for help with their homework on forums)

Honestly...I don't think it matters one way or another if we do participate.

We should participate because it gives the good impression that even with disagreeances we're not really "enemies" by any means, which I think is an important message to send.

Also, seconding that the atheletes don't care, this is an important event for them and politics ruining a once in a life time opportunity for a lot of people wouldn't be cool.

At first thought I would have been all for a boycott of the Olympics.

But when I thought about it I wasn't so sure. If an athlete boycotts the Olympics thats an 8 year gap in between competing there , which in an athlete's career is a lifetime. Some of these athlete's are reaching their peak and waiting another 4 years for the next one will mean they'll never get to perform on the biggest stage at that peak. The Olympics is their showcase & everything they work for & dream of competing there and I don't see why they should have to miss out on all that just because of the short sightedness of the IOC to give it to a country like China.

The United States would never miss out on a **** measuring contest.

Well, when going against the chinese, it's like an easy win (so I hear :O )

Well, it would be unfair for the athletes who have been training to compete in the Olympics .. I say they boycott the opening ceremonies if anything.

would china really care if other countries boycotted the games? wouldn't it be more of an international olympic committee PR disaster?