I don't often agree with The Nation, but it's hard to argue with this:
When the International Olympic Committee formally awarded Beijing the privilege of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games seven years ago, they accepted assurances from the historically repressive government of China that the country would dramatically expand its commitment to protecting human rights within its borders.
[. . .]
China has failed.
The IOC has failed.
The Olympics will open without progress when it comes to upholding even the most basic standards for individual liberty in China.
But we should not lie to ourselves about the healing power of the Olympic spirit.
That spirit has been crushed
Comments
At least tyrannical, oppressive governments are generally good for a spectacle. I think the 1936 Berlin Olympics were one of the more famous. The propaganda of Leni Riefenstahl and the athletic prowess of Jesse Owens were a potent combination.
"Although I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the president, either." -- attributed to Jesse Owens