As I read the newspapers on the plane home it was with some irony that I recalled my harmonious walks in the sun around the Spanish Olympic Village as I looked at pictures and took in accounts of protests, arrests and general hullabaloo on the streets of London.
It made me wonder what the parade of the Olympic flame actually represents these days?
I've always taken exception at actions people take that doesn't have any real meaning behind it. Tradition being the only reason for the event taking place.
Examples include:
- Saying "bless you" after someone sneezes
- Buying a birthday card for someone you can easily meet or phone to wish them a good day in words
- Wrapping presents when you could just hand it to them. (If you think about it, it is just as 'surprising' without the paper)
- Everyone buying each other Easter eggs and advent calendars around religious holidays
I accept all of the above are mostly a bit of harmless fun and the parade of the Olympic torch could easily be seen in the same light but from the photos I have seen, the only people at the London parade were protesters, police, passers-by and B-list celebrities. And I also heard that yesterday cost £1m in police bills which, of course, is yet another great use of our public finances.
Also worth consideration is the carbon footprint involved in flying so many Chinese delegates around the world just to parade an oversized flame in several world cities. Not that China and environmental concerns tend to go hand in hand.
So maybe we in Britain could save the world a lot of bother in four years time and just put the torch in a box until the Opening Ceremony.
I don't really see the positives in doing anything else with it...
6 comments:
It was a Black day for Gordon Brown and the UK govt.
Who authorised the use of Chinese security personnel in London?
Great post Curly.
I must admit to being more amused than offended by the blue Chinese officials.
But you raise some very good points. There was an article in the Guardian questioning who they were and even the Chinese Embassy didn't know who was responsible for these mysteriously tough security guards.
Then again, what better example of global fraternity and co-operation than having Chinese and British police working together, bashing the heads in of people who dare to exercise their right to protest.
Agreed and agreed.
Jeff, when you ask 'what does it represent these days', it is interesting to know that this 'tradition' was only started in 1936 by one Adolf Hitler in his attempt to draw comparisons between the Third Reich and classical Greece.
On hearing someone sneeze I always use the German gesundheit as apparently it is the only secular way of responding. It means 'good health'.
The whole torch thing passed quite close to my flat and I did find it a little sinister and strange. I'd have prefered if it was nowhere near me...
The level of security detracted from the whole 'peace, love and harmony' theme to a point of ridicule.
Well, you know, Adolf was a conviction politician too so maybe Gordon will want to keep the brainless tradition going after all…!
A very interesting input though, as always.
And gesundheit is definitely a better bet than the more standard choice. I do think it's a bit rude when someone sneezes and noone says anything but I still can't bring myself to bless anyone.
I wonder what bishops say when they're out together and someone sneezes. Hmmm….
Anyway, yes, ridiculous is the correct word for all this parade nonsense. A boycott is a pretty ridiculous, 'student politics' idea too while I'm on it…..
I've an idea where London could put the flame, but with this being a public forum, probably best keep that idea to myself.
One thing I find bizarre about the Olympics is that the first Games to go without any kind of hitch, boycott or protest was the 1992 Games in the city you've just returned from - Barcelona. This in spite of the repressive policies imposed by the Spanish Government on [what they see as] their own citizens in the BAsque Country.
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