Should People Boycott Watching the 2014 Sochi Olympics?

Has there ever been any Olympics that has not had some sort of controversy surrounding it? From 2008 Beijing Games and China's human rights policies to the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan debacle, take a look at the lengthy list of scandals and controversies connected to the Olympics and you'll see that nearly every Olympic game has been surrounded by controversy and the 2014 Winter Olympics is no different.

The other day, a friend posted a question on Facebook, asking if people were boycotting the watching of the Olympics, due to Russia's stance on homosexuality.  The answers he received were on both side of the issue. Some people saying "yes" - equating the issue to Nazi Germany (which didn't make sense as the US did not boycott the 1936 Olympics - remember Jesse Owens?), while others saying "no" for a multitude of reasons. This question got me thinking about whether people should or should not boycott the Sochi Olympics.  

Let's start with why the Olympics were created. The Olympics were created in order for varying countries to get together every four years, put their differences aside, learn about other cultures, and to engage in friendly competition. The Olympic Charter reads: "The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity." Listen to any Olympian and they will all say the same thing: politics are put aside and it's about friendly (and occasionally not so friendly) competition. There have been countless stories of athletes who develop friendships and even romance with athletes from other countries while at the Olympic games. 

Therefore, should we allow a group of neanderthals who make up Russia's body politic to ruin this spectacular event because of their antiquated and hateful rhetoric about homosexuality and gay rights? Perhaps they should be reminded of what else the Olympic charter has to say on the subject: "The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play". Thank you, Google. (In case you missed the Google Doodle from yesterday, take a look at the rainbow Google Doodle which supports the athletes in Sochi.)

For Olympics fans like myself, the idea of not watching the Olympics is horrifying. I'm not saying I couldn't do it, but that being said, should we? Where does it get us by not viewing the Olympics? Does it send a message about Russia's intolerance? Maybe, but will that change Russia's stance on homosexuality? Probably not. Truly, the only ones who are hurt by Americans not watching the Olympics are: the American broadcaster for the games (NBC), the sponsors (like Coca-Cola, Visa, and McDonald's), and the IOC. Putin and his cronies don't care if we tune in to watch snowboarding on our flatscreens. Plus there is the added issue that there are fellow Americans in Sochi who have worked for years, decades even, to get to the Olympics; some of whom I am sure are gays and lesbians. By not watching their efforts and supporting them while in Sochi, what does that say about us as Americans? If you truly want to show your distaste toward Russia's discrimination policies, don't purchase or use any Russian products - which pretty much amounts to not buying or consuming Stolichnaya Vodka and caviar. I can certainly do that!

I submit that while I wholeheartedly disagree with and condemn the position of Russia's politicians on gays and lesbians, we should not boycott the watching of the games. Not just because I'm the biggest Olympics nerd and watch the coverage obsessively, but because the Olympics are a soaring tribute to the nobility of the human spirit.

So, if you'll excuse me, I've got some television to watch!

Snowboarder and Olympian Shaun White