The Olympic Games are marked by what may be the world’s most recognizable set of rings.
They’ve been part of the Games since the early 1900s after Baron Pierre de Coubertin – believed to be the founder of the modern Olympic Movement – saw a similar design on an artifact from ancient Greece.
The five rings are said to represent the five major regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania (the area of the world near Australia and New Zealand).
Although never stated by its designer, every national flag in the world includes at least one of the five colors: blue, yellow, black, green and red.
But what has signified the world’s ultimate sporting event in years past seems to signify something totally different this year in Beijing, China.
The Olympic Games originated in Greece as a time of celebration. It was first put on as a way to honor Zeus, the king of gods and the god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology.
The games are supposed to be a time when the best athletes from around the world come together for one purpose: to showcase their talents in a friendly atmosphere.
But the true meaning of the Games this year seems to have been lost in the thick gray fog that covers China.
And with numerous athletes from the University and our state there right now, it’s time these problems are addressed.
Although the colors of the rings are supposed to signify the countries involved in the Olympics, allow me to give another translation to the rings this year.
Blue: This is one of two colors bar owners may be after the games if the reports of Chinese Public Security Officials asking owners not to serve blacks, Mongolians, gangsters and prostitutes are true.
I can understand officials not wanting to serve “gangsters and prostitutes,” alcoholic beverages, but to not serve another group of people because of the color of their skin is another story.
Wake up China. it’s the 21st century, and even if you don’t agree, everyone has equal rights and should be treated equally. I’d love to be there if a group of 20 or 30 Mongolians show up to a bar, denied service and release their frustrations on the owner and bartenders.
Chinese officials have repeatedly said they are trying their hardest to keep peace during the Games, but this is not a solution.
Yellow: The color of many of the buses and other transportation vehicles Olympic athletes have been shoved into since arriving in China.
Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates has complained numerous times about the inadequate transportation to and from the stadium.
“We are not happy with the quality of the buses that have been provided for the drive to Shunyi,” Coates said.
Coates said the bus trip – which is only about 20 miles – is taking more than 50 minutes.
“It’s pretty tough on these big blokes, there’s not much padding, it’s not air conditioned,” Coates told The Associated Press. “In some cases we are providing our cars to get the athletes out there. The international body [FISA] has been trying to rectify that for over a week without much success.” Black: This represents the color of the respiratory masks worn by some members of the U.S. cycling squad when they arrived in Beijing on Tuesday.
Members of the male and female teams were pictured in the Beijing airport with masks covering their noses and mouths.
To Americans, this may not sound like a big deal, but many Chinese described the scene as “provocative and disgraceful.”
Darryl Seibel, chief communications officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, expressed his displeasure for the masks.
“I suspect it was their choice. You would have to talk to them as to what prompted them to do this,” Seibel told The Associated Press. “I will say this: I am not a scientist, but in my view that was unnecessary.”
Green: A perfect color to fit what has been the underlying cause for most of the concern with this year’s Games.
China’s polluted air has been one of the biggest worries for Olympic organizers. It has been such a big concern that measures earlier this month were put into effect.
These measures included pulling half of the city’s 3.3 million vehicles off the roads, halting most construction and closing some factories in the capital and surrounding provinces.
The Associated Press reported that $20 billion of the $70 billion cost of this year’s Olympic Games has gone toward environmental measures.
But even with these attempts to clean the air, a wall of thick haze that surrounds the Nation Stadium cut visibility down to less than a mile this past week.
Just one week ago Beijing’s air pollution index was recorded at 96, which came close to exceeding the national level for acceptable air quality.
“Levels between 51 and 100 are considered moderate pollution. Anything more than 100 are harmful to sensitive groups, including children and the elderly,” according to air quality reports.
It’s a shame when a country that hosts the Olympic Games has to admit its air quality may affect the outcomes of outdoor events, but guess what, they have.
Red: Well homeland security, it’s time to put yourself to use. With numerous bomb threats by militant Islamic groups and a new video stating there will be attacks in China, it may be time to lift that terrorism alert color to red.
The video threatens attacks on planes, trains and buses.
I know this is often reserved for the most extreme cases of terrorism, but I’ll give you one word: Munich.
It would be a political nightmare if any athletes were killed by an Islamic group during the Games.
And unless you want a movie made about your country’s athletes more than 30 years later, I would think you may want to put some invested interest in these threats.
These are just a few of the many problems facing this year’s Games. There are many great athletes in Beijing, and I hope their valiant efforts and possible record-breaking performances aren’t overshadowed by the issues this country faces.
When the Games first originated they were a time where all feuds and wars stopped and where proper planning made for a great atmosphere.
I’m just afraid this will not be the case in Beijing.
—-Contact Jay St. Pierre at [email protected]