A couple of weeks back the World Bank announced that the world had more people in poverty than ever before, stating that 1 in 4 are in poverty. This ticker bar of information flowed under the anchor woman who handed over to a journalist at the Democratic convention. People behind her stood side-by-side as their expectations for change from the Obama campaign grew. They had just heard Hilary Clinton formally announce the latter as the official candidate - Wow! Is change really coming.

Then the other night I watched a recording of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games 2008. Apart from my continued disbelieve that China ‘got the games’ in the first place, it emerged that apparently the Chinese have spent £20B, constructing venues that extends over 74 Hectares. Interestingly, currently the 2012 hosts, London, have revised their budget from £2B to £9B. The London site is expected to cost £10B use 20+ Hectares.

The Olympics are also interesting from a perspective of bringing the world together. In one way they suggest that humanity can come together and celebrate ‘the importance of taking part’. Yet, it is this very notion that is exposed, for example, with rich nations having big teams and country commentators obsessing over nationalism. Its always annoying when sports commentators never mention the achievement of other nations in enough detail. In a way the latter is an example of what we all adhere to day in and day out. We look at our own achievements and do not consider the opportunity to help or encourage others.

In recent days Billions of Dollars (the rescue deal will cost US tax payers $12 Billion) has been allocated by the US government to prop up The Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Between these two organizations they hold $5.3 trillion Dollars worth of mortgages.

In summary, there is a lot of money at stake and one could argue that that securing one economy safe guards the global economy (just look at the ripple effect of the credit crunch). However, we seem to be missing an opportunity to change the way the economy could work for the betterment of all.

Harmonization is a word that is not used enough. For example, looking at development opportunities not based on short-term returns or to sell Western based product. For example, if in the West manufacturing is decline together with a rise in service sectors, could there not be a commercial equivalent of the Peace Corps? Do we not owe it to our current and future generations to eradicate Poverty? Can we not get a stronger set of United Nations forces to implement anti-genocide regimes.

Can’t Bankers and Accountants be more creative? Can we not twin company’s the same way that towns twin each other?
As consumers can we not demand greater ethics in food and clothing production? Corporate responsibility is being ignored. Can we not remove distance between the very rich and poor? Can we not think before we spend our money on lavish events.- or – simply link the Olympics to an opportunity to drive change.

If this could happen I’m confident that future Olympic team sizes will change.

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I watched the Olympic torch run on television with a sense of shock and concern. At one point the aerial shot of the runners revealed it all. Put simply, it was ‘a ring within a ring’. The torch was centre piece, surrounded by 3 layers of security. The first a blur of blue/white (the Chinese police/ security/ guard???), the second the yellow jacket clad police (layer 1 of 2 of the UK protection squad) and finally black uniformed metropolitan police in all their shiny silver button glory. I heard news reports that suggested that if one had gone to actually see the torch it would have been difficult to pick it out.

Everyone now knows that it was disrupted on route of its 31 mile journey through London with 35 arrests of protesters. At numerous points the latter named authorities boarded a bus to provide even more protection.

The torch relay has been positioned as a journey of harmony. Is this concept of traveling through cities aimed at bringing people together around the theme of ‘one world’? Who owns the torch? It is certainly not the Chinese although they can be considered as temporary guardians.

I wondered about the relay runners. I am certain that for each one (including the Chinese ambassador who ran with it through London’s China Town) that it must be a dream come true. We need to consider these dreams, especially the extremely dedicated athletes that spend every working day to prepare for these 4 yearly games.

As I implied in a previous article (see http://www.saviarora.com/olympic-torch-lit-despite-protest/),

Where are the obligations for the country that is hosting the games. If they (any Olympic host) do not believe or respect the Olympic ideals how can the participants respect the associated country?

Interestingly, if we look at the history of the Olympic games, politics have been highlighted:

1. The banning of South Africa due to its Apartied stance
   In 1959, the non-racial South African Sports Association (SASA) was shaped to secure the rights of all players on the global field. After meeting with no success in its endeavours to attain credit by collaborating with white establishments, SASA went to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1962, calling for South Africa’s expulsion from the Olympic Games. The IOC sent South Africa a caution to the effect that, if there were no changes, she would be barred from the 1964 Olympic Games. The changes were initiated, and in January 1963, the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SANROC) was set up. The Anti-Apartheid Movement persisted in its campaign for South Africa’s exclusion, and the IOC acceded in barring the country from the 1964 Games in Tokyo.
2. The black panthers protest – marking sympathy with the civil rights movement
3. Moscow non-attendance followed by LA’s non-attendance
4. Hitlers behaviour during the Berlin Olympics of 1936

With regard to the latter, although the bid was won before the Nazi Party gained power in Germany, some leaders in the government saw the Olympics as an opportunity to promote their Nazi ideology. By allowing only members of the ‘Aryan race’ to compete for Germany, Hitler further promoted his ideological belief of racial supremacy. Hitler removed signs stating ‘Jews not wanted’ and similar slogans from the main tourist attractions.

At this moment we can only hope that China does reconsider its position of influence in some of the troubled areas of the world not just to look good but to make a lastsing change.

It is worth noting that Steve Covey wrote about the Circle of Influence in his book: 7 habits for highly effective managers. He suggests that we should think of ways to be more proactive and address the things you can do something about.
The Olympic torch is now at the centre of everyone’s concerns and influence of the Chinese is an opportunity for their redemption…

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It is an honour to meet people who are so intelligent and so full of wisdom that what they say is profound enough to have an impact on how one views life.

Over the weekend I was fortunate to interview a wonderful scholar. He implied or one could say that I gleaned from him the importance of making a stand. As a Sikh we need to ensure that we are defending the defense-less.

On a day when the Olympic torch was lit to embark on its journey to Beijing, it was interrupted. Protesters from media rights group, ‘Reporters Without Borders’ broke through the cordon of 1,000 police officers in Olympia as China’s envoy spoke.

China’s occupation in Tibet is clearly negative. Its influences in Dafur and Burma all point towards apathy. I recently viewed a documentary (Unreported World) where I witnessed how China is desperate for resources in Africa, incidentally driven by the West’s desire / demand for cheap consumer goods. The programme (Unreported World) suggested that China is walking away from ensuring that workers are not exploited.

The BBC also reported that, The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, has defended the decision to hold the Games in China saying:

The major political leaders don’t want a boycott.

In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Rogge said the Olympic torch relay and the Games should take place in a peaceful environment.

The torch is the link between all athletes and citizens of this world; between all of us who believe in Olympism and the virtue of sport. It has the force to unite humanity and to stand for harmony.

Today China has an opportunity to show that it can change its political stance. Is unity for humanity only achievable on a platform of athletic competition? I looked up the word ‘Olympism’. Its Ancient definition is in the beliefs of the ancient Greeks, who encouraged people to develop their physical, moral, intellectual, cultural and artistic qualities harmoniously. Modern Olympism promotes a way of life based on:

• The balanced development of the body, will and mind
• The joy found in effort
• The educational value of being a good role model
• Respect for universal ethics including tolerance, generosity, unity, friendship, non-discrimination and respect for others.

The Goal of Olympism is described as the use of sport to promote the balanced development of people as an essential step in building a peaceful society that places a high value on human dignity.

In one sense Olympism is confined to sport influencing change.

Where are the obligations for the country that is hosting the games. If they (any Olympic host) do not believe or respect the Olympic ideals how can the participants respect the associated country?

Before it becomes too late, China needs to adhere to the Olympic ideals of peace and understanding. Right now we all know that the games are important to China. Post games what aspect of influence will remain from the rest of the world?

We all need to make a stand and encourage dialogue for change, especially where there is a clear demonstration of apathy from either the host or any participating country. I am confident that the more of us that talk about the ideals of peace and unity the greater the potential that someone will listen and lives will be changed.

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