The Russian's had a comparatively poor showing in this year's olympics compared to the other world powers. The Russian President Dmitri A. Medvedev shortly after the closing ceremonies announced his great displeasure with his athletes showing in Vancouver. He is calling for top athletic officials to either resign or stated they would most likely be fired. It can be assumed that Russia is venting frustration and anxiety due to the fact that they are hosting the next winter olympics in 2014. Another showing like this past olympics, the Russian's could be potentially embarrassed on their home soil. Hosting the event costs billions of dollars to be pumped into it, and the lurking possibility of struggling on the same stage as the other world powers is scary situation for the country and its people.
The olympics are a nationally staged event where practically all countries showcase their athletes in an effort to gain exposure and power. In a world today where there is intense scrutiny on war and the relationships between countries, the only spot left to safely show how powerful you are is in athletic venues. This is an excellent way for countries to fight for power, but at a far lower price of not winning medals compared to losing lives. If a country can dominate at sports, its the closet it can get to "flexing it's muscles" and to prove that it is better than rest. Not to say sports are the only way countries can prove who is better than who or if its the right way, but anything that can provide a measure of success without conflict and injury is great. Such as the Space Race during the Cold War, these large events that people can get behind and support their countries are really a rallying point. As long as we can continue to find ways to divert our aggression of being the best, we should be in a relatively good place.
I definitely agree that the Olympics serves as a channel through which power can be acquired sans bloodshed. After all, the Olympics is by far one of the largest international events existing today. However, I feel like the Olympics is more about cooperation rather than the quest for power, much like today's politics. According to Mearsheimer, cooperation is now the defining feature of international relations. So although countries are able to showcase their athletic ability, I feel that is more important that the global community is coming together peacefully for these events.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting point that I had never considered before. I agree that the Olympics, especially in the eyes of the Russians, can be seen as a chance to show everyone else who's "on top." However, i also understand that the Olympics are meant to be a time of peaceful sport and global harmony. I find this rather intriguing that in days where terrorism is rising and warfare seems inevitable, we turn to "harmless" winter sports to portray power.
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