Controversy within the Olympics

By Courtney Turnbull

Every four years people from around the world come together for the love of sports, and hope to see their country take home the gold. Whether sitting in front of a big screen stuffing your face with popcorn or getting a front row seat to the games itself, every four years we are assured there will be some sort of drama between nations. This is what we call the Olympics.

The first-ever modern Olympics was held in Athens, Greece in 1896. The founder of the International Olympic Committee Baron Pierre de Coubertin once said “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part, the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”

But are we, as nations, fighting well? Being fair to all athletes? Controversy in the Olympics dates to the early 20^th century. In 1916 the Summer Olympics were scheduled to be in Berlin but because of the outbreak of World War 1 they were cancelled.

In 1936 Germany got another chance to welcome the world’s athletes and host the Olympics. With Hitler in power it was like stirring a pot of controversial soup. Hitler wanted all black athletes to be banned from competing. In the end African-American athlete Jesse Owens, stood first place on the podium refusing to do the Nazi salute, and went home with four gold medals.

“I think with the Olympics we have kind of given those (Olympic countries) a pass through the years because it’s been such a joyous occasion,” said Australian Rennae Stubbs, a former Olympic tennis player. “A place where we hope that the quality of sports is an equalizer to all athletes.”

In 1972, controversy became tragedy in Munich, when 11 Olympic athletes were held hostage and eventually killed. From black power salutes, to protests, to massacres and boycotting the event altogether, there is to inevitably  some sort of issue that detracts from the real focus of the games.

The Olympics have turned a spotlight on worldwide human rights issues but the real focus should be on the athletes. The upcoming games will be in Sochi, Russia this February. There is already controversy and concern because of a law that was passed in late June.  The new law states that it is punishable to speak openly about gays and lesbians among young people.

Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender athletes going to Sochi don’t just have to worry about competing, but also face a law that could potentially put them behind bars. Foreign citizens or people coming into the country displaying same-sex affection or distributing information on gay rights can also be fined and/or deported

Stubbs, who has won several Grand Slam tennis titles and represented her country four times, is an openly gay athlete. She said her biggest complaint isn’t necessarily with Russia in particular but with the IOC.

“I think the IOC really needs to look at themselves,” said Stubbs. “They need to be a little bit more accountable for the decisions that they are making. Maybe one way of being able to help them with the decision making is to make better decisions on where to put the Olympics.”

According to the IOC’s Olympic Charter all segregation is prohibited, whether it “is on the grounds of race, religion, colour or other.”

Josh Cameron, a championship boxer from the Border City Boxing Club in Windsor, believes  the Olympics was first created to end violence between nations and instead compete through sport. He thinks the law is discriminating towards athletes and that it could have an emotional affect on those of the LGBT community competing in Sochi 2014.

“Sports are for those who have a passion for what they love and not who they are as a person,” said Cameron.

“I feel that other countries should stand up for the gay community and promote sport over politics. Sports should bring people together, not apart.”

No matter who takes home a medal, countries that stay true to sportsmanship and equality will be the real winners.

The ultimate reward is for all countries to respect human rights for all people, but perhaps in today’s world that is still not realistic. Openly gay athletes are not being encouraged to start a riot or get arrested but to continue to pursue what they love.  No matter who takes home a medal, countries that stay true to sportsmanship and equality will be the real winners.