When Politics Meets Sports

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/27/sports/olympics/olympic-runner-from-sudan-seeks-asylum-in-london.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ike-awgu/olympics-2012_b_1738691.html


As we here in America celebrate the Olympics and count the many medals our athletes are winning there is a predictable undercurrent of politics at the London games.  Even before a single event was played, the political implications of the Olympics had started.  Whether it is the South Sudanese runner who came to the games virtually without a country, or the growing number of political defectors, the Olympics represent more than world class performances on the field.  It is a time when strife and politics take a back seat to skill and determination, but as always this isn't the case.

On one hand you have the somewhat mild case of Gaur Marial from South Sudan,  where his country is simply too new.  South Sudan has just recently turned a year old, and in the midst of forming a new country did not have time to form an Olympic track team. Marial was left without a place to train.  Wanting to represent South Sudan, Marial came to the U.S. to train, but was not cleared to leave the country for London because he had yet to become a citizen.  This is less about politics (The United States recognized South Sudan instantly) and more with timing but it brings up the idea that politics does supersede sports, even when it has to do with the United States.  South Sudan is the world's newest country, and the United States had much to do with it, but it does take awhile to become a citizen..Olympic athlete or not.  Marial plans to come back to the United States after competing as an Independent Olympic athlete in London, where I am sure he will gladly become a citizen.

Gaur Marial, South Sudan's Only Olympic Athlete

On the other you have the more sinister cases of political defectors and their home country's attempts to prevent the defections.  Already in London, several athletes (including a Sudanese runner, Cameroonian boxers, soccer players and swimmers) have made their way to English authorities to claim asylum.  This is not an uncommon occurrence at the Olympics or any international sporting event.  The list of defected athletes is too extensive to list here (including a the child of Cuban defectors competing for the United States), but there is mutual benefit for these political vagabonds and the countries that come to.

Gymnast Maria Gonzalez and Coach Yin Alvarez
Both Defected From Cuba And Represent The United States In London

Two things come to light when citizens of one country leave that country for another.  The first is that there must be serious unrest in the home country.  I love my country, and it would take a good deal for me to leave my family and friends in that country.  The second is much less ideological and more cruel.  Actions taken by home countries to keep there athletes range from futile to down right cruel.  North Korea offers cars, money and even refrigerators, while others reportedly threaten to harm family members should an athlete not return.  To me this is senseless.  Why would the country not spend more time correcting what would cause a person to leave, rather than simply trying to stop them from leaving.  Let's face it, would you come back to North Korea for a car?  I don't think all the cars in the world would make me want to come back to North Korea.  Understand, these countries are often dictatorships or very centralized governments, so they simply don't care about the people, but maybe if things were better at home the athletes would not want to leave.

"Come Home, Get A Refrigerator" Said One North Korean Olympic Official

Politics are important. Sports are important.  Every four years these worlds mix in a tense but glorious event known as the Olympics.  Though the Olympics are an event to showcase the competitive talents of world class athletes often times political events take precedence.  From the athlete stymied by the fact that his country is simply too young, to young people striving to make their life better in a new country, there are somethings that are more important than sports.  Even at the event that is supposed to only be about sports.