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Curtis Stinespring's avatar

According to the link below, Hitler stayed away from the stadium instead of witnessing Jesse Owens put white superiority in doubt. I remember Owens being a smoker who died of lung cancer at a relatively early age. He was also treated as a second-class citizen in the years immediately following his gold medals performance. A pity.

https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/which-leader-snubbed-jesse-owens-hint-it-wasnt-hitler/71998/

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HCI's avatar

I’m glad that the US and other countries resorted to a diplomatic boycott, as opposed to a full blown boycott. I felt that was the appropriate balance in chastising China while not unduly punishing our athletes. These athletes train for a lifetime to achieve their dream of competing at the highest level. Peak athletic performance is a limited window of opportunity, and it’s not like you are easily guaranteed another chance to compete in the next Olympiad. I can only imagine how the athletes felt to see their dreams dashed in 1980, or iron curtain athletes in 1984, after a lifetime of dedication to their sport. I agree with you that boycotts are limited in effectiveness. Rather, I’d like to see major reforms at the IOC, so the privilege for a country to host an Olympic Games is contingent on their regard for human rights.

I’ve chosen not to watch the games, as I resent and am angered by China and their actions to date. But I am rooting for our American athletes to go out there and pull many Jesse Owens(a real American hero in my opinion), bring home medals and make us proud.

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