Olympics: an opportunity for the rich to get more

I came to Japan in 1986, and vowed to never own a TV. I missed the Olympics in 1988, and decided that when the next Olympics came around, I would buy a TV. In 1992 I bought a TV and enjoyed watching the Japanese participate in the event. That's all that was broadcast. When the next Olympics came around there was a little Olympic content on regular television, but most of it had been moved over to the BS satellite system. To watch it meant another investment in television equipment. As the years have go on, more technology comes on line just in time for another Olympics, the next one scheduled to be the end of analog TV transmissions in 2011. That would be prior to the Olympics in London.

That's alright with me, because I don't watch TV anyway. I tossed the one I got in 1988 in favor of a newer 1990's model into which I can plug a DVD player. That's all I use it for. My point is though, that even though I'm nowhere close to the venue, big companies use the event to generate huge profits. It appears that being closer to the venue is even worse. According to this article, The Olympic Games Myths Busted, lots of people lose alot more than money, too. They are displaced by the maniacal land and money grabs that precede the events.

The Center for Housing Rights and Evictions suggests that all large-scale events generate a variety of human rights abuse, detentions, evictions, and deportations, all in the name of beautification. Want to know what China's up to? Give this a look, Reporters sans Frontieres.

In contrast, here is what the IOC says is the aim of the Olympics.

According to the Olympic Charter, established by Pierre de Coubertin, the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

sounds good...