Thursday 10 April 2008

Imagine there's no relay, it's easy if you try

Could it possibly be that the over-hyped, obscenely expensive, politics riddled and ultra-greenhouse gas emitting Olympic Games has lost it's gloss?
Dare we imagine a world without that over-rated torch relay?
Could we possibly find ourselves finally with an Olympic year which doesn't clog the media with what is essentially sporting trivia?
Well, perhaps not yet - but this year's torch relay may yet signal a welcome return to placing sport in its proper perspective.
Elite athletics is not about world peace, the common good or social harmony. It is definitely not above criticism or social comment when self-indulgent national governments vigorously compete to hold these games and so heavily subsidise their 'sides'.
This year an alternative for free expression in China relay is taking place in hyperspace at www.penpoemrelay.org and on the ground.
Me - I won't be turning up anywhere to watch the flame go past.
The opening ceremony won't be on my teev on the night and the only Olympic sport I might watch will be the short grabs I accidentally see on the nightly news come August 2008.
A peaceful form of boycott? Nope. Simply never could abide all that jingoistic tripe!
The rest I leave to the Prime Minister who is doing a bonza job conveying Australia's official position on Tibet.

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