No Free Press at Beijing Olympics 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 Jo...
Aug 15, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Spain’s Basketball Team Sullies the Olympics 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 nationa...
Aug 14, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Women’s Gymnastics: The Big Mac of the Beijing Games 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 l...
Aug 13, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Beijing Olympics: Dolphin Kicks Obscure Biased Coverage 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 go...
Aug 12, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Beijing Basketball Watched By Billions 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...
Aug 11, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Bush & Kissinger Invade Beijing 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 Georg...
Aug 10, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Beijing Opening: Show Goes On Without Spielberg 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 o...
Aug 9, 2008 / Dave Zirin
In Defense of Team Darfur 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 raisi...
Aug 8, 2008 / Dave Zirin
China Won’t Turn the Other Cheek 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 ...
Aug 7, 2008 / Dave Zirin
Why He Fears the Fist: A Response to Jonah Goldberg Why He Fears the Fist: A Response to Jonah Goldberg
You can tell right away that Goldberg didn't read a book, an article, even a fortune cookie, about the 1968 Olympics before whipping out his laptop.
Aug 4, 2008 / Column / Dave Zirin