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Come discuss the 2008 Beijing Summer games with a couple of fanatics!
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Politics Plays Role in Judo
Iran had a chance for a medal in Judo, one of the few chances they have for any medal in thesse games. However, the Iranian and world Judo champion, Arash Miresmaili, was matched with an Israeli in his first match. What's the problem? Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist. This extends to a ban on coming into contact with any Israelis. Mireshmaili chose to withdraw from competition instead of going against his country's policies. Miresmaili claimed that he was proud to withdraw from competition in solidarity with the Palestinians.
To me, it seems too bad that these competitors could not see each other as athletes, instead of political enemies or allies. These athletes have an opportunity to show the rest of the world how we all can get along. I mean when you think about it, none of us choose where we are born. Most of us do not choose the policies our governments put in place. When it comes down it it, we are all just human beings trying to get through another day.
Iran had a chance for a medal in Judo, one of the few chances they have for any medal in thesse games. However, the Iranian and world Judo champion, Arash Miresmaili, was matched with an Israeli in his first match. What's the problem? Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist. This extends to a ban on coming into contact with any Israelis. Mireshmaili chose to withdraw from competition instead of going against his country's policies. Miresmaili claimed that he was proud to withdraw from competition in solidarity with the Palestinians.
To me, it seems too bad that these competitors could not see each other as athletes, instead of political enemies or allies. These athletes have an opportunity to show the rest of the world how we all can get along. I mean when you think about it, none of us choose where we are born. Most of us do not choose the policies our governments put in place. When it comes down it it, we are all just human beings trying to get through another day.
