Dave Zirin | The Nation
No Free Press at Beijing Olympics
"Are you arresting me? I am a journalist," said John Ray, of London-based ITV News, as he was arrested by the Chinese police. The pernicious crime perpetrated by John Ray was covering a protest outside the National Stadium. "They bundled me out of the park," Ray was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "They forced me to the floor, dragged me, manhandled me into a restaurant next door." Ray was covering the action of eight activists, seven from the US, who unveiled a "Free Tibet" flag near the National Stadium in Beijing.
Video of Ray's arrest with his narration below:
Spain's Basketball Team Sullies the Olympics
There are some athletes who can't be bought. Some athletes who refuse tobecome commodities, valuing their humanity more than their wallets. Thenthere is the Spanish national basketball team. Spain's team, whichincludes NBA stars like Pau Gasol and Jose Calderon, is embroiled in acontroversy that has managed to be both racist and juvenile--and all the result of orders from one of their sponsors.
Women's Gymnastics: The Big Mac of the Beijing Games
If you have been reading this blog, you know that I am somewhatconflicted about the Olympics. There is the beauty of the games, and anugly pervasive undercurrent that can leave you queasy. It's like eating atMcDonalds: so tasty at first, so nauseating upon reflection.
Beijing Olympics: Dolphin Kicks Obscure Biased Coverage
"It's like he was part fish." That's what a friend of mine from theMaryland suburbs said about the young Michael Phelps. He was in a swimclub with the multiple gold medal winner, and still shakes his headremembering how the prepubescent future star was in a league of his own."You could just tell. It was sick." (That's a compliment.) Now Phelps isracing less against his competitors than against history. In his quest to win a record eight gold medals, Phelps has already won three gold medals andset three world records. As the New York Times wrote, "Michael Phelps is not just gunning for Mark Spitz's record of seven golds, he seems intent on winning all his races in world-record time, as Spitz did in 1972."
Beijing Basketball Watched By Billions
The most laudable part of the Summer Olympics is that it is one of the few times when the stifling sporting atmosphere in the United States actually opens up its window and lets in some air. For several glorious weeks, we turndown the volume on baseball, basketball and football--with a dash ofNASCAR--and get to glory in other athletic pursuits. We can consider thatswimmer Michael Phelps might be a better athlete than anyone in the NFL.We can debate whether Dara Torres, the 41-year-old swimmer whose firstOlympics was in 1984, is perhaps every bit the physical marvel that BrettFavre is. We can see Jamaica's Usain Bolt and the US's Tyson Gay race inthe 100 meters and reimagine speed. We can watch the Chinese womendivers and wonder how it's possible for such tightly wound momentum toproduce such a small splash.
Bush & Kissinger Invade Beijing
Remember Nero fiddling while the world burns? Nero's got nothing onGeorge W Bush. Hell, at least Nero was displaying a demonstrative skill.No, while Russia shells the Georgia capital, while the US is engaged intwo military occupations, while unemployment numbers spike at home, Bushhas remained in Beijing past the opening ceremonies to flirt with beachvolleyball players, stare longingly at US softball star Jennie Finchand give pep talks to the US teams so they "go for the gold". (He wasgreeted by US athletes with applause described to me as "tepid.")
Beijing Opening: Show Goes On Without Spielberg
On this morning, the day after the spectacular, pyrotechnic launchof the Olympic games, lets take a second to recall who wasexcluded from the party. No not George W. Bush or Vladamir Putin. Bothmen took time away from bombing other countries to attend the dazzling openingceremonies in Beijing. Not Henry Kissinger, who probably attended becauseChina is one of the few places he can fly without risking arrest. Asthe jaw dropping exhibition displayed, what Tom Shales of the WashingtonPost called, "enough fireworks for 100 fourth of Julys", it was Steven Spielberg who was left at home, crying with his Oscars. Spielberg hadagreed to direct these opening ceremonies, which may turn out to have been the most watched television event in the history of the world. And it wasSpielberg who was shamed into breaking his contract when Mia Farrowcalled him "the Leni Riefenstahl of the Beijing Games" this past March.
In Defense of Team Darfur
I never thought I've live to see the day I'd agree with Mitt Romney on anything. But this time, the man with the Ken doll hair got it exactly right. Romneywas raising his voice in objection to 2006 Gold Medalist and Team Darfur founder Joey Cheek being denied entry into China and said, "Joey Cheek is by no means an out-of-control radical." This is true. Unlike Romney Idon't mean it as a compliment.
China Won't Turn the Other Cheek
Joey Cheek is someone who actually believes in the Olympic ideal, thequaint notion that sports could be used as a force for good, to raiseawareness, understanding and even bring people closer together. The2006 speed skating gold medalist will now not get the chance to test histheories. Cheek, the president of Team Darfur, a coalition of as many as 200 athletes aimed at raising awareness about the suffering in the Sudanese region, had his visa revoked the evening before he was to fly to Beijing.
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