How about a Greek Olympics?

torchprotestThe raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and the torch relay debacle have several observers raising an interesting idea:

Why not return to the practice of simply having the torch travel from Greece to the host country?

Better yet, why not have a permanent home for the Olympics in Greece, which is after all the ancient inspiration of the modern Olympic Games?
This might help protect the integrity of the games by returning the spotlight to sports, instead of politics and nationalism.

8 Comments

  1. lvs24neek8
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 8:00 am | Permalink

    Permanent home court advantage for Greece. Why not spread the Olympics randomly to several countries based on events.

  2. outlander
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 8:25 am | Permalink

    “Better yet, why not have a permanent home for the Olympics in Greece, which is after all the ancient inspiration of the modern Olympic Games?”

    I’ve heard that idea before and it is worth considering. The ability to use specially constructed Olympic facilities multiple times, funded by member nations makes sense. As does the removal of some of the politics. But it might not happen because the IOC members would be giving up a lot of power. The international media hangs on their announcements of just who will be the next country to host the Olympics and reap the profit and publicity.

  3. Political_mama
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 8:31 am | Permalink

    We should just decide to host an alternative Olympics this year. I think it’s crap that we’re going to even consider going to China after they have pretty much broken their promise. We should not support countries that are horrible with human rights, that’s what the games are supposed to be about, goodwill between humans.

  4. American_Way
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 11:36 am | Permalink

    Here we go again, change the entire system because of an infrequent and limited problem.

    There will always be wars and rumors of war. The history of the olympics reflects the inhumanity
    of man. The protests will continue regardless of the torch bearers route. Silly to think otherwise.

    But go ahead, reinvent the lightbulb because one burned out.

  5. writerdog
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 12:42 pm | Permalink

    It won’t happen, the financial boom for the host country is so large every country would stand against the idea! Tourism, hotels, food sales, P.R. for the country, no there would be no vide spread support for a home country for the Olympics.

  6. GMC70
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 12:55 pm | Permalink

    “instead of politics and nationalism.”

    Huh? Just when has the Olympics NOT been about “politics and nationalism?” This year is not the exception, it’s the rule.

    Just a few of the high(or low)lights: Berlin. Mexico City. Munich. Moscow. And those are just the one which spring to mind off the top of my head.

    Indeed, the very reason China wanted the Olympics in the first place was, as usual, politics and nationalism. It was seen as a “coming out” party to place China in its place as an emerging power. Instead of celebrating China’s new place as a power, it appears the Olympics will instead spotlight China’s horrendous human rights record, and their aggression against and absorption of Tibet. They deserve every word of criticism; every leader that uses his time in China to publicly criticize the regime, every athlete who uses his or her moment in the spotlight to highlight Tibet’s plight is entirely justified in doing so.

    That’s why I do not advocate a boycott, rather a full participation, with all the free speech we can muster.

    China has earned that, and more. But let’s not pretend there’s any “pure” sport left; there is precious little of it. The “integrity” of the game has long since been sold off and frittered away. The Olympics isn’t pure sport, it is, at least in the high-profile sports, pampered professionals competing for dollars (or yen, or marks, pick your favorite currency).

    And it has always been political and nationalistic. Open your eyes, Randy.

  7. sursum
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 9:11 pm | Permalink

    What about the Winter Games, where would they be held. Norway seems good spot as is Switzerland, Finland maybe Canada? They’re all pretty neutral countries

  8. WSClark
    Posted April 21, 2008 at 9:17 pm | Permalink

    Something about having a “Greek Olympics” just doesn’t seem right – seems a bit over the top to me – what would be the events?

13 Trackbacks

  1. By Olympic » Blog Archive » How about a Greek Olympics? on April 21, 2008 at 8:02 am

    [...] WE Blog | The Wichita Eagle Editorial Department Blog wrote an interesting post today on How about a Greek Olympics?Here’s a quick excerptHow about a Greek Olympics? PostedJust now The raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and the torch relay debacle have several observers raising an interesting idea: Why not return to the practice of simply having the torch travel from Greece to the host country? Better yet, why not have a permanent home for the Olympics in Greece, which is after all the ancient inspiration of the modern Olympic Games? This might help protect the integrity of the games by returning the spotlight t [...]

  2. By Greek » How about a Greek Olympics? on April 21, 2008 at 8:08 am

    [...] Randy Scholfield wrote an interesting post today on How about a Greek Olympics?Here’s a quick excerpttorchprotest The raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and the torch relay debacle have several observers raising an interesting idea:. Why not return to the practice of simply having the torch travel from Greece to the host … [...]

  3. By China » Blog Archive » How about a Greek Olympics? on April 21, 2008 at 8:08 am

    [...] WE Blog | The Wichita Eagle Editorial Department Blog wrote an interesting post today on How about a Greek Olympics?Here’s a quick excerptHow about a Greek Olympics? PostedJust now The raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and the torch relay debacle have several observers raising an interesting idea: Why not return to the practice of simply having the torch travel from Greece to the host country? Better yet, why not have a permanent home for the Olympics in Greece, which is after all the ancient inspiration of the modern Olympic Games? This might help protect the integrity of the games by returning the spotlight t [...]

  4. By Greek » Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by lvs24neek8 on April 21, 2008 at 10:16 am

    [...] lvs24neek8 wrote an interesting post today on Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by lvs24neek8Here’s a quick excerptPermanent home court advantage for Greece. Why not spread the Olympics randomly to several countries based on events. [...]

  5. By Greek » Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by Greek » How about a … on April 21, 2008 at 10:24 am

    [...] Greek » How about a Greek Olympics? wrote an interesting post today on Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by Greek » How about a …Here’s a quick excerptRandy Scholfield wrote an interesting post today on How about a Greek Olympics?Here’sa quick excerpttorchprotest The raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and the torch relay debacle have several observers raising an … [...]

  6. By Greek » Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by China » Blog Archive … on April 21, 2008 at 10:25 am

    [...] China » Blog Archive » How about a Greek Olympics? wrote an interesting post today on Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by China » Blog Archive …Here’s a quick excerptWE Blog | The Wichita Eagle Editorial Department Blog wrote an interesting post today on How about a Greek Olympics?Here’sa quick excerptHow about a Greek Olympics? PostedJust now The raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and … [...]

  7. By Greek » Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by outlander on April 21, 2008 at 10:27 am

    [...] outlander wrote an interesting post today on Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by outlanderHere’s a quick excerpt“Better yet, why not have a permanent home for the Olympics in Greece, which is after all the ancient inspiration of the modern Olympic Games?” I’ve heard that idea before and it is worth considering. The ability to use specially … [...]

  8. By China » Blog Archive » Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by China » Blog Archive … on April 21, 2008 at 10:32 am

    [...] China » Blog Archive » How about a Greek Olympics? wrote an interesting post today on Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by China » Blog Archive …Here’s a quick excerptPostedJust now The raucous protests over China hosting the Olympics and the torch relay debacle have several observers raising an interesting idea: Why not return to the practice of simply having the torch travel from Greece to the host … [...]

  9. By Greek » Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by writerdog on April 21, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    [...] writerdog wrote an interesting post today on Comment on How about a Greek Olympics? by writerdogHere’s a quick excerptIt won’t happen, the financial boom for the host country is so large every country would stand against the idea! Tourism, hotels, food sales, PR for the country, no there would be no vide spread support for a home country for the … [...]

  10. By travel to greece on April 22, 2008 at 8:56 pm

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