Sports and politics are a horrible mix - and I say that as an ardent sports fan/atic (depending on the sport) - but they are definitely linked. They can be used by both sides, with varying degrees of success.
The boycott of the apartheid-era South Africa - particularly in relation to rugby - struck to the core of what it was to be white south african male. The boycotts of the Moscow and then LA Olympics were last rattles of the Cold War to some extent.
A large number of
African nations boycotted the 1976 games in protest at NZ still playing rugby with SA at the time. The closest we had to anarchy on the streets (and there was blood) was when the Springboks toured here in 1981 - that really split the country. And still does.
Have they had an impact? Debatable.
We should keep making the point, - and I'm firmly in the camp that says that China should be held accountable. But it's debatable how much of an impact a specific boycott by athletes would have at this point.
Most nations are bending over backwards to either get into the Chinese market, and we're all sucking up their goods like there's no tomorrow.
I just appreciate that most people I know - are seeing the current Olympic setup for what it is - big money, big money, big money. I'm all for supporting the athletes in their individual endeavors and the patriotic part of me will cheer on the NZ ones.
But doing that - to me at least - does not condone what China is all about in regards to human rights abuses, pollution issues, trade practices. Nor does it prevent me from having some concerns about NZ's FT deal with them.
Right - I'm off to heat up some humble pie and eat it over in the thread about arsenal being pwned!