The China Teaching Web

Shortly before the Olympic games commenced in Beijing nearly two weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled Should We Feel Sorry for Olympic Press Chief Kevan Gosper? in which I suggested that the best course of action for Gosper was to “keep his mouth shut.”  Now, I am afraid that I have to suggest that IOC President Jean Rogge do the same. Or at least he should consult with some of his IOC colleagues before he speaks.

On Thursday, well into the second week of the 2008 Olympic Games, Rogge must have decided that it was time to do some “tough talking.” He must have thought that it was about time to show the world that the IOC did have some ‘backbone’ after all. Unfortunately, by the time he was finished with the interview, he had proven to the world once again that the IOC is as weak and tactless as ever. Instead of addressing issues such as the China gymnastics age scandal or the fact that Beijing has not even approved one protest request, he inexplicably chose to target criticism at Jamaican track star Usain Bolt who has electrified the world by winning both the 100 metre and 200 metre sprints while at the same time setting world records in both events.

“That’s not the way we perceive being a champion,” Rogge said of Bolt’s antics after he won the 100 meter race on Saturday and the 200 meter race on Wednesday. On Saturday, shortly before crossing the finish line, Bolt slowed down and seemed to be beckoning to the runners before he pounded his chest and crossed the finish line. After his historic win on Wednesday, he barely congratulated his fellow runners; he took a victory lap around the track barefoot.

“I think he should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands, give a tap on the shoulder to the other ones immediately after the finish and not make gestures like the one he made in the 100 meters,” Rogge said in the interview. He also said of Bolton’s actions that “you just don’t do that.”

Jean Rogge will most likely live to regret these silly words. While he criticizes a Jamaican running star who has brought more life and excitement to these 2008 Olympic games then any other athlete or country, Rogge and the IOC have allowed Beijing to break promises and escape investigation for allowing and most likely encouraging its athletes to break rules. There have also been a number of questionable judging decisions that have left millions of people around the world ’scratching their heads.’ Instead of Rogge criticizing what were definitely immature yet nonetheless innocent antics from a beloved athlete worldwide who was simply drunk with victory, Rogge needed to direct his ‘tough words’ on the issues that really count. Today, the IOC lost even more respect and the world is not going to forget these words.

This is just another episode in a series of missteps by the IOC within the last few weeks. Of course, the IOC’s scandalous and controversial history goes back far before 2008. This year is just another harsh reminder to the world that the IOC is a weak institution that should not have the privilege of organizing the Olympic Games.