This time, Bush should stay home

Bright-eyed. Green. And full of potential. Proudly preparing for an event that could catapult my life into something far more significant than any ambition I may have ever had for myself. The entire world would be watching. And I was ready...

That same story could have been told over and over by more than 600 people who were just as bright-eyed, proud, and prepared...

But we were told to stay home.

It was the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. The Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan in hopes of preserving their Communist government that had been in play since the 1970's, and the United States was in strong opposition. President Carter informed the United States Olympic Committee that all of its athletes must boycott the games in Moscow and simply stay home.    

For most of the Olympians -- myself included -- this was not what we wanted to hear after years of training and preparing to compete on the world's grandest stage. More than anything, we wanted to represent our country. It was a political issue. And we were merely athletes.

But for those who argue that sports and politics do not intertwine, I strongly disagree. Sports and politics mix every time an athlete puts on a uniform. They mix when a parent lobbies for a child, when someone is inserted into the lineup because of his or her relationships and not just their talent, and when a team of Olympic hopefuls are told they must support their country's position and boycott the games.

It's now 2008. And the idea of another boycott lingers for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. China has human rights issues and there are many nations, including the United States, who want to take a stand. But gone are the days of using the athletes as the sacrificial lamb to make a political statement. It is time for President Bush and other world leaders to take that stand and do the very thing they told us to do back in 1980. This time, he should stay home! The athletes should go and compete.

However, we must be smart about what we boycott -- or more importantly, who does the boycotting. The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin were on the verge of a boycott from the United States, which was in strong opposition (like most of the world) to Hitler's heinous dictatorship. While some felt the U.S. refusal to boycott gave Hitler a pass to continue his reign of terror, I believe that our participation in those games made a much stronger statement than not showing up at all. The 1936 games provided the setting for Jesse Owens to win 4 gold medals and shatter Hitler's idea of "Aryan Superiority" -- the very tool he used to spread his divisive propaganda.  If Owens had not competed and blown that theory out of the water, the course of history could be vastly different! The same could be argued about the 1980 boycott. The 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles were boycotted by the Soviet bloc nations, and it continued the political ping pong using the athletes as the ball.

To boycott or not to boycott? Either way, it shapes the current scope of the world and has an inevitable effect on history. I was part of a boycott. And what did it really prove? For many athletes of that 1980 team it meant a dismal end to a promising start. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to compete in the four Olympics to follow. But for others, like Bob Kaufman - the world's best decathlete and a training partner of mine, his Olympic dreams were dashed and he never had a chance to compete in the games.  

I agree that China's human rights issues must be addressed. But it is not up to the athletes, or the celebrities, or the everyday American to lead that fight. Yes, we all can do our part, but it is our government's obligation to be the leaders! Making the athletes boycott is not the answer. It is a double-edge sword that can cut either way, as history has shown. However, a stand should be taken, and I believe President Bush and other world leaders should be the ones to sit out.

Just the other day I read that the President and First Lady are headed to Beijing, saying it's just a sporting event. But the Olympic Games are so much more than that. Yes, it is a competition on the highest scale, but it is also about the world coming together for unity and peace.

Twenty-eight years ago, hundreds of athletes - including myself, sat out of those games to support our country's decision...

Now, Mr. Bush it's your turn!