I do like the concept of a “politics-free” sporting event, but then those events need to actually be free of politics. That makes things like partially unrecognised countries (Palestine, Taiwan, South Ossetia, Sealand) very difficult, though, so you’d end up with tons of micronations and disputed areas in the line-up, which immediately becomes politics again.
However, I don’t think the IOC is as neutral as they claim. Belarus being excluded for “invading during the Olympic ceasefire” or whatever they claimed was just a political move.
If you’re trying to be free of politics, you’ll have to stay free of politics every time. It’s all or nothing.
In that regard, I sort of respect the IOC for disciplining athletes that refused to compete with Israeli/Russian athletes. I can’t fault the athletes themselves, but at least the organisation seems to stick to its guns most of the time.
Honestly, I think I’d prefer it if there were no flags involved at all.
I do like the concept of a “politics-free” sporting event, but then those events need to actually be free of politics. That makes things like partially unrecognised countries (Palestine, Taiwan, South Ossetia, Sealand) very difficult, though, so you’d end up with tons of micronations and disputed areas in the line-up, which immediately becomes politics again.
However, I don’t think the IOC is as neutral as they claim. Belarus being excluded for “invading during the Olympic ceasefire” or whatever they claimed was just a political move.
If you’re trying to be free of politics, you’ll have to stay free of politics every time. It’s all or nothing.
In that regard, I sort of respect the IOC for disciplining athletes that refused to compete with Israeli/Russian athletes. I can’t fault the athletes themselves, but at least the organisation seems to stick to its guns most of the time.
Honestly, I think I’d prefer it if there were no flags involved at all.