Watching The Chinese Olympics Opening Ceremony - I'd Totally Just Leave If I Were An Athlete, I Think (1 Viewer)

[Terminalxylem]

Yep. I'm not saying anything differently. All I know is I was a total jock growing up. Smaller town, but sort of a standout. Three MVPs in high school, etc. Not a humblebrag. Nor a brag. Just where I was. 

I never would have participated in these Olympics knowing what was going on in the world. Not unless I had a team obligation, and I probably would have stepped aside. What I'm saying is that if I wouldn't have, I don't doubt there aren't others feeling it, and I'm surprised nobody just ditched or came out and said something. 

I remember not wanting to wear the American flag on my helmet during the first Iraq War (and what does it tell you about that war and the way it was waged -- and the way I knew that milquetoast President would wage it -- that we needed another) during hockey games. I eventually capitulated, but if you don't think the athletes don't know about what's going down in China, you're mistaken, I think. 

It's surprising to me nobody has rolled with it yet. Perhaps they're under obligation to be courteous to their hosts. I don't know. But nary a peep. 

Just giving you a hard time. Watching the opening ceremony, I told my wife the pandemic was a great way for the Chinese to assure they’d medal the most as host country.

I say that as a mediocre high school athlete, who evolved into a decent middle aged one. Given the chance, I’d gladly compete in the over-the-hill games. Probably skip the orgy though.

 

[rockaction]

Just giving you a hard time. Watching the opening ceremony, I told my wife the pandemic was a great way for the Chinese to assure they’d medal the most as host country.

I say that as a mediocre high school athlete, who evolved into a decent middle aged one. Given the chance, I’d gladly compete in the over-the-hill games. Probably skip the orgy though.

Naw, it's fine. And I edited my post. Too gauche. Just trying to state credentials, and it looks like a brag. 

But whatever. 

I'm just surprised not one athlete has been like "You know what? I am not down with this."

 

[FairWarning]

Naw, it's fine. And I edited my post. Too gauche. Just trying to state credentials, and it looks like a brag. 

But whatever. 

I'm just surprised not one athlete has been like "You know what? I am not down with this."

They would if they were not cashing on the same corporate money that is lining China and the IOCs pockets also.  

 

[ekbeats]

Yeah, I just caught a minute of a Chinese figure skater, born in L.A., representing China and skating alone to creepy music in front of an empty arena. 

Totes pass. Y'all enjoy your organs. 

You almost nailed it Rock.  It was Russian music.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Naw, it's fine. And I edited my post. Too gauche. Just trying to state credentials, and it looks like a brag. 

But whatever. 

I'm just surprised not one athlete has been like "You know what? I am not down with this."

There is still time. But I think the athletes who made the trip have already shown they are indifferent to China’s general malfeasance.

 

[Pickle Rody]

Not sure how many may be aware of this but the State Dept recommended all athletes and other American personnel leave their  personal cell phones, tablets, pads at home and get burner phones to travel with and use over there. Due to the extremely high likelihood that China would attempt to hack for whatever reasons. Making a highly charged political statement about China, in China, seems not such a good idea. I don't think they'd have one bit of hesitation to lock up an American for political activism.

 

[rockaction]

Not sure how many may be aware of this but the State Dept recommended all athletes and other American personnel leave their  personal cell phones, tablets, pads at home and get burner phones to travel with and use over there. Due to the extremely high likelihood that China would attempt to hack for whatever reasons. Making a highly charged political statement about China, in China, seems not such a good idea. I don't think they'd have one bit of hesitation to lock up an American for political activism.

Simply another reason I don't think I'd have gone to the Games. 

 

[Stoneworker]

The 3rd place Japanese figure skater had his hand over his heart during the entire playing of the American national anthem after Nathan Chen's gold medal victory.

Political? Doubtful. Incredibly classy display of international respect that transcends petty global politics? Undoubtedly.

I reject the entire premise of this dumb thread.

3:42 of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_qrLVddS8

 

[FairWarning]

The 2nd place Japanese had his hand over his heart during the entire playing of the American national anthem after Nathan Chen's gold medal victory.

Political? Doubtful. Incredibly classy display of international respect that transcends petty global politics? Undoubtedly.

I reject the entire premise of this dumb thread.

3:42 of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_qrLVddS8

Finally, some sanity.  

 

[The General]

Amazing night at the games. Some all time performances this evening.

 

[sho nuff]

The 3rd place Japanese figure skater had his hand over his heart during the entire playing of the American national anthem after Nathan Chen's gold medal victory.

Political? Doubtful. Incredibly classy display of international respect that transcends petty global politics? Undoubtedly.

I reject the entire premise of this dumb thread.

3:42 of video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_qrLVddS8

Not sure if I just have never noticed or other countries never had military out there.  But was surprised the Chinese military that helps raise the flags for the medal ceremony salutes as flags that are not theirs are raised and anthems played.

 

[GordonGekko]

I'd have had a very hard time participating over there if I was made to sit through those ceremonies. The head of the ChiComs had the nerve to say that nobody would suffer discrimination over there in a divided world. 

My foot. Then the children singing. I'd be thoroughly creeped the heck out and would just leave somehow. I'm not sure how they're doing it. 

The WTA chose Peng Shuai and human rights over money in China

The decision to boycott China ahead of the Beijing Olympics is a powerful one...Women’s Tennis Association suspends all tournaments in China...The WTA’s decision was spurred by Chinese tennis star and Olympian Peng Shuai’s treatment after accusing a leading Chinese official of sexual assault in an online post. In the aftermath, Peng quickly disappeared from the public eye for weeks, her statement deleted....Peng reappeared in late November to contradict her previous claims. It was a bizarre piece of political theater, one that did nothing to convince Simon of her safety. "In good conscience, I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault,”....

By Dave Zirin, MSNBC  Dec. 6, 2021, 12:57 PM PST

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/wta-chose-peng-shuai-human-rights-over-money-china-n1285469

******

I agree with you Rock.

But if I am being fair about it, the WTA probably is in a much better financial position and it's members are in a much better financial position than some other sports or athletes who would lose their means to make a living if they lost their sponsorships. I'm not saying it's right, I am saying there's a complicated context for some athletes in the middle of all this.

If it was me, I'd walk. But if someone else didn't, I wouldn't hold that against them.

Personally, I've advocated for the US to just declare war and start the fight now against the CCP. It's going to happen sooner or later, might as well be sooner.

 

[Coach Beard]

Not sure how many may be aware of this but the State Dept recommended all athletes and other American personnel leave their  personal cell phones, tablets, pads at home and get burner phones to travel with and use over there. Due to the extremely high likelihood that China would attempt to hack for whatever reasons. Making a highly charged political statement about China, in China, seems not such a good idea. I don't think they'd have one bit of hesitation to lock up an American for political activism.

Was also recommended to not login to social media or other accounts that might have sensitive information.  If your brand or endorsements mandate social media presence from the Games, send photos and videos to someone back to home to have them post to your social media on your behalf.

Apparently the mandated app for athletes listens/watches for some 2000 banned words/phrases. You also have to give it full rights to the phone it is installed on -- and it tracks where you are and were plus can stream the audio and video if they choose.  So beyond all the hacking and malware concerns, China is using all the athletes’ devices for eavesdropping.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Why are people talking about the Olympics when it's almost time for the Super Bowl?

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Why are people talking about the Olympics when it's almost time for the Super Bowl?

At church this weekend, our pastor led off with "As most of you know, there is a really big sporting event going on right now."  I turned to my wife and said "Yeah, Josh Allen's playing in the PGA Pro-Am."  I must have said this louder than I intended because I did get a dirty look from somebody sitting in the pew in front of me.  Playing MST3K with the sermon is apparently a no-no.  

 

[rockaction]

I reject the entire premise of this dumb thread.

As is your right in a free country. In a country where they harvest organs from one particular sect of people, you wouldn't so much have that right. If I was in authority, what I could do is not only make you not dissent, but make it compulsory for you to type out things in the affirmative. Like the Chinese do to their citizens on their smart phones. 

Sounds great, huh? You wouldn't want an athlete or group of athletes having your back and embarrassing the Chinese if you were one of the families having their organs harvested, would you? 

You'd rather have a Japanese skater with his hand over his heart for another's anthem. What a display! How that will change things both at home and abroad! How sweet!

You do you, Stoneworker! 

 

[rockaction]

Was also recommended to not login to social media or other accounts that might have sensitive information.  If your brand or endorsements mandate social media presence from the Games, send photos and videos to someone back to home to have them post to your social media on your behalf.

Apparently the mandated app for athletes listens/watches for some 2000 banned words/phrases. You also have to give it full rights to the phone it is installed on -- and it tracks where you are and were plus can stream the audio and video if they choose.  So beyond all the hacking and malware concerns, China is using all the athletes’ devices for eavesdropping.

They do this to their citizens. Every day. 

Welcome in, TikTok. 

 

[dkp993]

Why are people talking about the Olympics when it's almost time for the Super Bowl?

This.

Go Rams!

 

[Stoneworker]

As is your right in a free country. In a country where they harvest organs from one particular sect of people, you wouldn't so much have that right. If I was in authority, what I could do is not only make you not dissent, but make it compulsory for you to type out things in the affirmative. Like the Chinese do to their citizens on their smart phones. 

Sounds great, huh? You wouldn't want an athlete or group of athletes having your back and embarrassing the Chinese if you were one of the families having their organs harvested, would you? 

You'd rather have a Japanese skater with his hand over his heart for another's anthem. What a display! How that will change things both at home and abroad! How sweet!

You do you, Stoneworker! 

Having lived there for years, I understand China and Asian politics, history and cultures perfectly well. As I do the U.S. And even have a surprisingly meaningful grasp on the concept of moral authority. 

So I'm perfectly comfortable with my position.

Your sanctimonious outrage bothers me not in the least.

 

[rockaction]

Having lived there for years

Chinese agent! 

 

[Stoneworker]

Chinese agent! 

Possibly double

 

[Stoneworker]

So cool she chose to compete in the Games and make history. USA! USA!

Team USA's Erin Jackson won a brilliant gold in the women's 500-meter speed skating at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday and became the first Black woman to ever medal in the sport.

It was a remarkable performance from Jackson, who is the first American woman to medal in the 500 since Bonnie Blair won her third straight gold in 1992. 

This is Jackson's second Olympics, after she competed in PyeongChang, where she became the first Black woman to represent the U.S. in speed skating, after taking up the sport only five months prior, in September 2017.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/speedskating/story/_/id/33281088/erin-jackson-delivers-gold-united-states-500m-speed-skating

 

[The General]

So cool she chose to compete in the Games and make history. USA! USA!

Team USA's Erin Jackson won a brilliant gold in the women's 500-meter speed skating at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday and became the first Black woman to ever medal in the sport.

It was a remarkable performance from Jackson, who is the first American woman to medal in the 500 since Bonnie Blair won her third straight gold in 1992. 

This is Jackson's second Olympics, after she competed in PyeongChang, where she became the first Black woman to represent the U.S. in speed skating, after taking up the sport only five months prior, in September 2017.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/speedskating/story/_/id/33281088/erin-jackson-delivers-gold-united-states-500m-speed-skating

Nice. 

Let the athletes do their thing, leave the diplomats at home.