The Olympics 2008 host China is charged with human rights violations in Tibet and its foreign policies in Sudan. The journey of the Olympic torch is marked by protests from several countries for their crack down on Tibet. China is annoyed by France’s recent utterances of boycotting Olympics, and the demonstration in Paris when the torch passed by the city, further infuriated them. China has retaliated by urging consumers to shun using French goods. Every possible medium in China had circulated hostile views about France clearly show, the Chinese perceive that they are being isolated for becoming an economic super power.
Jacques Rogge, president of International Olympic Committee stated that China was awarded the 2008 games because of the promise of advancement of the social agenda of China, including human rights. He asked China to keep up the promise to avoid any occurrence of unpleasant situation. The ongoing international pressure on China has dampened the spirit of the traders who have been expecting a windfall in sales through the Olympics. With 11 year high inflation of the country and condemnation of Chinese goods overseas, have raised a nationalistic character among the youth to be part of the hate mail campaign. Several foreign brands in China have suffered damaging firestorms of internet criticism in recent years.
The Olympics is not just a sporting extravaganza rather it has to be considered as a platform of human beings’ desire to accomplish things they imagine in their minds. The torch symbolizes the spirit of every human being’s utmost eagerness to contribute to the process of evolution regardless of their religious, racial, linguistic or geographical identities. Perhaps the torch is a Chinese make, but the very substance of it is not just Chinese, it is of the whole world. Therefore, the essence of the Olympics should be kept intact, and all other things including business will fall in place.