Don’t boycott the olympics.

There is so much talk right now about boycotting the Olympics because of China’s treatment of the situation with Tibet, and their human-rights behavior in general.

All I can say is, don’t punish the athletes for China’s mistakes.  Thousands of athletes, many of whom will be in the Olympics for the first time this year, train year round, day after day, week after week, to get to the level they are at.  These athletes don’t have holidays.  They don’t have “oh i’m a little tired today, maybe i won’t worry about training” days like the rest of us (yes i’m guilty).

I think it is ridiculous to only now jump on the “boycott China” bandwagon, when it will affect so many people that have worked so hard.  I think China should change their policies as much as the next person, but it’s not like they got this way overnight, and I can tell you, punishing the athletes is a temporary solution.  The IOC chose China for many reasons, and I’m sure one of them was to bring some light to the topic of their regional policies - but lets not cut off our nose despite our face.  All that boycotting the Olympics will do is crush the dreams and years of hard work for the thousands of athletes involved… and maybe sell some “boycott China” t-shirts… which, undoubtedly were made in China.