Using children as political pawns

[mango.man]

So, at the Youth Olympics in Singapore, an Iranian athlete defeated American Gregory English in the Semi-Finals and appeared healthy after the fight.

Then an Israeli athlete defeated his semi-final opponent from Argentina.

Suddenly the Iranian is "injured" and unable to compete in the finals against the Israeli.

WTF? These are children (14-17) competing against the worlds best and representing their country. Why deny them the right to compete for the gold?

Let the kids compete. If an adult wants to pull out for political reasons, so be it. BUT LET THE DAMN KIDS COMPETE!!!!

[granfire]

Well, athletes have been political pawns for a long time, why stop at kids (who have been pawns as well forever)

However, without speculating, there could have been an injury post match. ***** happens. I mean, how better than to fight this battle than on the mat.

Then again, those folks have weird ideas about what is proper, honorable or practical...

So I wish the kid speedy recover, should he need it, and in case he doesn't, a swift lightning strike in the zipper to his connections who kept him off the mat.

[Gorilla]

Shameful !!!!!

[Earl Weiss]

You cannot fault the athlete nor the coaches at th event for this. (Well maybe they were at fault). The problem permeates Iranian society.

See: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/07/german_city_fathers_refuse_to.html

If I were in there shoes as an athlete, coach or whatever and the possible consequences of allowing the athlete to compete were sanctions against myself and my family back home I would likely do the same. TKD is just not that important when it comes to the comfort, safety and security of ones self and family.

This is not limited to this situation. It has permeated TKD for decades. Read "A Killing Art" for more.

[granfire]

You cannot fault the athlete nor the coaches at th event for this. (Well maybe they were at fault). The problem permeates Iranian society.

See: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/07/german_city_fathers_refuse_to.html

If I were in there shoes as an athlete, coach or whatever and the possible consequences of allowing the athlete to compete were sanctions against myself and my family back home I would likely do the same. TKD is just not that important when it comes to the comfort, safety and security of ones self and family.

This is not limited to this situation. It has permeated TKD for decades. Read "A Killing Art" for more.


Also true!
We do tend to take our civil liberties for granted, which are indeed a privilege, not a right - almost all parts of the world...

[Ken Morgan]

I'm sure the kid would want to compete, but imagine what the athlete, coach and his family would have to go through back home, if he lost the match.
One day the real Persians will reasert themselves, and become an open culture once again.

[girlbug2]

I'd enjoy meeting and talking to real Persians. Imagine how it was once upon a time, when Persia was at the center of the civilized world. Iran needs more minds like that right now.

[aftab]

Politics and sport go hand in hand in modern sport in my view.:angel:

Sport is no longer just about who wins or loses, but about sponsors and fees. Be it Kukkiwon fees or Adidas/Nike branded goods.

Children in politics hmm…sometimes children are the first to suffer in war, be in the form of collateral damage, acts of terrorism or dare I say it ‘collective punishment’ (cough cough Israel - Palestine issue)

Without going off on a political rant:soapbox:, I’d like to leave you a couple of words for thought:

‘Promoting Peace through Sport’
‘Business/Commercialism’
‘Ethical Values’

…Children

Do most TKD instructors teach children because they want them to be better people in society, or do they teach children their own commercial/political interest?:jediduel:

[Miles]

This has happened in the recent past-within the last few Summer Olympics I recall a boxer or wrestler refused to fight an Israeli athlete.