Politics is an integral part of human life. Whenever two or more people get together and get involved in any animated discussion on any subject politic starts.And Olympics, the biggest sporting extravaganza, that brings people from all nationalities, ethnicities, economic, religious and linguistic backgrounds, politics is but natural to happen.
Though Olympics are supposed to be an opportunity to “contribute to building a peaceful and better world” through bringing countries together in the name of friendly sports, yet they have their own limitations or politics Be it keeping out one nation or the other or ban one or more group of athletes on one pretext or the other. The sacred Olympic mission, however, has frequently been undermined by real-world politics, and this year is one of the best examples of that.
Politics in sports or sports politics may be two entirely different domains but politic remains the common denominator. There may be endless examples of staunch political rivals rubbing shoulders together in controlling sports. And, Olympics are no different.
From North Korea to ban on Russia for violating Doping controls, politics in the ongoing PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, have spread to other areas, including conduct and uttering of other World leaders or their actions.
Much of this year’s tension comes with the fact that North Korea is competing in the games in the first time in 8 years.
The move came after tensions escalated between North Korea and the rest of the world in the wake of a series of North Korean missile tests along with the news their nuclear program has progressed at an alarming rate.
Long before the opening ceremony of the Games on February 9, politics were on the center stage.
A day before the opening ceremony, the US Vice President Mike Pence, who headed the US delegation to the games, snubbed North Korean delegate Kim Yong Nam by not shaking hands with Yong at a dinner with political leaders, when he shook everyone else’s hand.
The snub came a day before Pence announced new sanctions against North Korea alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
By remaining seated during the unified Korean team’s parade, he became a direct target of criticism as it was taken more of a disrespect to the host nation than the controversy back home over NFL players not paying respect to national anthem. There was wide criticism in some circles when players knelt or remained seated during the national anthem at NFL Games. The comments made by President Donald Trump on the issue hawked headlines. Even Mike Pence himself had done the same thing during a game between Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife shook hands with Kim Yong Nam at the opening ceremony. This is the first time since the Korean war that South Korea has welcomed a North Korean delegation. The handshake was a significant diplomatic signal.
What made the political analysts sit up and take cognizance when the US President refused to stand up or even clap when a unified Korean contingent during the parade at the opening ceremony. It was taken as an insult both to the hosts South Korea and its athletes.
South and North Korea have fielded a unified women’s hockey team for the Games. For the sake of records, South Korea was ranked last in the sport coming into the Games. As such the performance of the team would be far from embarrassing.
Despite diplomatic efforts by the President of South Korea, many of the Koreans are not very happy as they have been creating online petitions and protesting about North Korea’s inclusion.
They are also unhappy that whenever they switch on TV sets, they find too much of the North Korean delegation.
The US Vice President Mike Pence is also involved in a political tug of war with two out gay American athletes, skater Adam Rippon and skier Gus Kenworthy.
In an interview in January, ice-skater Adam Rippon was quite in media saying that he was not interested in meeting Mike Pence ahead of his performance because he “funded gay conversion therapy”.
He went further, assailing Pence and Trump for their policies and statements, especially when President Trump labelled some nations as “shit holes”.
Skier Gus Kenworthy spoke out against Pence’s role on Ellen in February, calling it “a bad fit.”
In response, Pence tweeted saying that “don’t let fake news distract you.” Kenworthy, however, took the controversy forward by posting a picture of him and Rippon, captioned ” I feel incredibly honored to be here in Korea competing for the US and I’m so proud to be representing the LGBTQ community alongside this amazing guy! Eat your heart out, Pence.”
The reports of a meeting between the Vice President and Rippon for putting the debate to an end were denied. Mike Pence is known for supporting anti-LGBT legislation.
Another development that smacks of politics and tormenting the Olympic movement has been the ban on Russia. Only select Russian athletes from the Olympic powerhouse have been allowed to compete in the games here as Ad Hoc Commission of the Court of Arbitration for Sports dismissed appeals from over 50 athletes and coaches against the participation ban imposed on them by the International Olympic Committee. The charge against the Russian athletes has been that there was State sponsored violation of the Doping control at the last edition of the Games held in Sochi.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of systemic tampering with urine samples at the Sochi games. Russian athletes allowed to participate in PyeongChang took part in the opening ceremony parade without the Russian flag.
Instead, they have been allowed Olympic Athlete Russia banner.
In the last edition of summer Olympic Games at Rio, there were “Refugee” athletes. But none from that group is here.
Perhaps “Refugee” athletes do not play Winter sports.
(The author, Executive Editor, PTC News, is currently in PyeongChang for the 2018 Olympic Games) (Articles / Courtesy PTC News)