The snowball is rolling down the hill.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging EU leaders to boycott the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony.

MEPs want China to begin a dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama by August.

The resolution firmly condemns “the brutal repression” by China in last month’s crackdown on Tibetan protests. [MEPs call for EU Olympics boycott. BBC NEWS. April 10 2008]

In addressing the proposed boycott of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics, supporters of People’s Republic of China are urging the world community to not to politicize the Olympic Games. That is a fair comment and the Olympics, at least ancient Olympics, were held in celebration of peace. In times of war, the Games offered an Olympic truce, a respite from hostility. Yet, supporters of China cannot really be truly honest without condemning China because China itself had politicized the Olympics on a number of occasions.

China boycotted several Games to object to the participation of Taiwan in the Olympics beginning in the 1950s. In the 1976 Montreal Olympics, China applied pressure on Canada to prevent Taiwan from using its preferred identity. As a result, Taiwan refrained from participating in several editions of the Olympics as a sign of protest against China. In 1980, China again showed that its willingness to politicize the Olympics: it boycotted the Moscow Olympics to protest the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union.

Supporters of China must acknowledge China’s past politicization of Olympics and criticism China for that if they would like to have the moral authority to criticize those whom propose a boycott of the Beijing Olympics.

In spite of this, I do not support a boycott of the Olympics. Rarely does a boycott work. In my opinion, the better way of highlighting issues which boycotter wish to bring forward is to participate in the Games. Witness the torch relay first hand, watch the opening and the closing ceremonies and follow the Games.

But do it in protest. While attending the Games or watching the Games, whether in private or public, express your displeasure of China’s action peacefully. Put banners up. Spread pamphlet. Engage the crowd and make them aware of the situation in Tibet as well as China’s record of disrespecting liberty.

It is only through greater awareness could the world gently realize of the issues at hand and apply gentle pressure on China to reform and respect liberty.

That is why I will be there to witness the Olympics Torch Relay in KL. I will turn up to celebrate the Olympics as well as to protest against the occupation of Tibet by China.

Adapted from [1615] Of China is no stranger to the politicization of the Olympics

PARIS – French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday that he cannot rule out the possibility he might boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics if China continues its crackdown in Tibet.

An official from France’s state television company said the broadcaster would likely boycott the games if coverage was censored, and the European Union, United States, Australia and Canada urged China to show restraint as it tries to quell continuing unrest in its Tibetan areas. [French leader considers Olympic boycott. Associated Press. March 25 2008]