Torched parade
Pathetic show a few days ago, when the Olympic torch was passed around in the streets of Paris. Watched a little footage on the evening news on the telly, with scenes of police forces snatching away Tibetan flags from demonstrators.
Really makes one wonder how much of a symbol the torch really is, when it becomes a flagship product for propaganda. While the IOC panel has the hardest difficulties admitting they pushed the Chinese candidacy for political reasons, Chinese officials have no difficulty rebuking requests that the Olympic truce be respected…
Journalists were turned away from filming crews, in spite of having all credentials, on grounds that they filmed the Chinese who were not filming the demonstrations (which was considered “dangerous”). Three rings of bodyguards shielded the flame from a mob of demonstrators, while the French police forces came out to snatch away Tibetan flags… As though the Tibetan flag (arguably “illegal”, since Tibet isn’t recognized as a country…) were less worthy a symbol than the Olympic torch, or rather, that the symbol of Olympic goodwill, in China’s responsibility, could not suffer the competition. And by the way, it seems French products have been boycotted in China since…
Expect lots of medals this summer. And a few raised fists. And some odd live coverage interruptions. Organizers will be torn between the need to show their best face and the imperious necessity to make the world forget the Tibetan, the result should be interesting…
