The Olympic torch has been lit at a ceremony in Greece on 24 March 2008. The torch will be carried in an around-the-world relay through 20 countries, before arriving in Beijing for the start of the Games on 8 August.
Meaning of the Flame and the Relay
In the context of the modern Games, the Olympic flame represents the positive values that man has always associated with fire. The flame is carried by relay all the way to its final destination. All along its route, the flame heralds the upcoming Olympic Games and transmits a message of peace and friendship amongst people. The flame is used to encouraged the whole world to put down their weapons and turn towards the Games. (please click here if you want to learn more)
Protesters along the Relay Route
During this two weeks time, there are a number of protesters around the world, such as London and Paris, who are trying to disturb the Olympic torch relay. According to a CNN report, the flame has been extinguished for 3 times when the relay was in Paris.
Indeed, demonstrations and boycotting activities are everywhere in the globe. Since the crackdown on protesters calling for democratic freedoms and self-rule in Tibet and neighboring Chinese provinces last month, China has come under international criticism. The International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge has said he is "very concerned" about unrest in Tibet though, strictly speaking, he shall have remained political neutral.
Being Reasonable?
I can't help asking myself a question: "what does it for?" From my point of view, any violence for whatever reason is not compatible with the values of the torch relay or the Olympic Games. It is definitely acceptable if demonstrations do not disturb the relay or the flame in particular (though I understand that if this is the case, demonstrators would not be able to catch media attention).
I believe the athletes of the Games deserve more attention than they do now. The athletes have spending YEARS to prepare for this Games. It sounds like the Olympic Games becomes a tool to raise human rights awareness in China TOTALLY which I think this is not reasonable!
Back to the very fundamental question - why should there be Olympic Games?
Meaning of the Flame and the Relay
In the context of the modern Games, the Olympic flame represents the positive values that man has always associated with fire. The flame is carried by relay all the way to its final destination. All along its route, the flame heralds the upcoming Olympic Games and transmits a message of peace and friendship amongst people. The flame is used to encouraged the whole world to put down their weapons and turn towards the Games. (please click here if you want to learn more)
Protesters along the Relay Route
During this two weeks time, there are a number of protesters around the world, such as London and Paris, who are trying to disturb the Olympic torch relay. According to a CNN report, the flame has been extinguished for 3 times when the relay was in Paris.
Indeed, demonstrations and boycotting activities are everywhere in the globe. Since the crackdown on protesters calling for democratic freedoms and self-rule in Tibet and neighboring Chinese provinces last month, China has come under international criticism. The International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge has said he is "very concerned" about unrest in Tibet though, strictly speaking, he shall have remained political neutral.
Being Reasonable?
I can't help asking myself a question: "what does it for?" From my point of view, any violence for whatever reason is not compatible with the values of the torch relay or the Olympic Games. It is definitely acceptable if demonstrations do not disturb the relay or the flame in particular (though I understand that if this is the case, demonstrators would not be able to catch media attention).
I believe the athletes of the Games deserve more attention than they do now. The athletes have spending YEARS to prepare for this Games. It sounds like the Olympic Games becomes a tool to raise human rights awareness in China TOTALLY which I think this is not reasonable!
Back to the very fundamental question - why should there be Olympic Games?
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