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Thread: Rogge: IOC 'sporting, not political association'

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[quote=APAULT,271763]It is at best naiive to say sport is not political, at worst it is an example of how those with power seek to prevent dissident views (which in iteslf is a political act).  Politics is the application of power: nations compete for the Olympics for nationalistic reasons.  There is little direct profit to be made from 'The Games', indeed objective analysts suggest is is a loss making exercise.  So why do countries want to host 'The Games'?  Simply for national prestige and influence in the world community.  China wants to show the world that it is a modern nation and that many old perceptions held overseas about China, are not valid.  I have no argument with this objective, nations compete for international prestige in many ways.  But it is totally hypocritical to say that the Olympics (and sport in general) have nothing to do with politics.  
 
The IOC is a giant business which franchises out its name every 4 years. Of course it will claim that politics should be kept out of sport.  It doesn't want anything to reduce the value of its brand, just like any other business.

Of course Britain opposes consideration of issues like Darfur:  It doesn't care if people are dying as long as its franchise in 2012 is not devalued.[/quote]

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