The Olympics have been riddled with political protests and violence ever since their creation in 1898. Consistent racial, political, and religious protests occur at the games and hinder the competition. The United States has even gone as far as boycotting the 1980 games in Moscow. In 1984 the Soviet Union boycotted the games in LA. In the 1972 Munich games 11 Israeli athletes were kidnapped and slaughtered just because of their religion. In the 1968 Mexico City Olympic games Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood up and did the black power salute instead of singing the national anthem. The political, religious and racial actions committed at the games were ultimately ineffective and the Olympics were not the time or the place to do such disruptive
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One example of the danger when politics mix with sporting is the Olympics of 1972 in Munich. ”A band of gunman from the Palestinian group Black September broke into the Olympic village and took members of the Israeli national team hostage” (Smith). This tragic event led to “11 Israelis and a number of terrorists were killed in an abortive rescue attempt at the airport, where after tense negotiations the terrorists were awaiting transport out of the country” (Smith). This horrible terrorist attack lead to the deaths of many innocent civilians and even a German police officer. There needs to be strong rules set forth by the IOC preventing terrorist attacks like these and preventing all forms of political protests at the Olympic games, because as seen here, political grievances can result in violence. A second example of violence as a result of political protest in the death threats received by Smith and Carlos when returning home from the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. “Smith and Carlos were largely ostracized by the U.S. sporting establishment and they were subject to criticism... Back home, they were subject to abuse and they and their families received death threats” (Tommie Smith Bio). The simple raising of a fist on an Olympic podium lead to threats on the men’s lives and their families as well. This simple fact shows the power and danger political protest has on an Olympic stage. Imagine what would have happened if Smith had done something more drastic, he might even be dead. The potential threat to those who protest at the Olympics is so great that political protests and propaganda should be banned entirely from the Olympic
One example of the danger when politics mix with sporting is the Olympics of 1972 in Munich. ”A band of gunman from the Palestinian group Black September broke into the Olympic village and took members of the Israeli national team hostage” (Smith). This tragic event led to “11 Israelis and a number of terrorists were killed in an abortive rescue attempt at the airport, where after tense negotiations the terrorists were awaiting transport out of the country” (Smith). This horrible terrorist attack lead to the deaths of many innocent civilians and even a German police officer. There needs to be strong rules set forth by the IOC preventing terrorist attacks like these and preventing all forms of political protests at the Olympic games, because as seen here, political grievances can result in violence. A second example of violence as a result of political protest in the death threats received by Smith and Carlos when returning home from the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. “Smith and Carlos were largely ostracized by the U.S. sporting establishment and they were subject to criticism... Back home, they were subject to abuse and they and their families received death threats” (Tommie Smith Bio). The simple raising of a fist on an Olympic podium lead to threats on the men’s lives and their families as well. This simple fact shows the power and danger political protest has on an Olympic stage. Imagine what would have happened if Smith had done something more drastic, he might even be dead. The potential threat to those who protest at the Olympics is so great that political protests and propaganda should be banned entirely from the Olympic