ספורט ופוליטיקה
פורסם: 12 אוגוסט 2008 23:38
טום בוסוול כתב בוושינגטון פוסט, בעקבות טקס הפתיחה:Clear Messages in a Colorful ShowBy Thomas BoswellIn four years, London shouldn't even try to compete with the spectacle that Beijing bestowed upon our wondering eyes in the Opening Ceremonies. No democracy can or should invest the money and manpower that went into this city-wide fireworks-spewing deification of national pride, athletic aspiration and Communist Party self-congratulation. Public money could never be justified for such an insanely exhilarating night. Only a People's Republic could squander so lavishly. The emblem of this night was the contrast between the flag-bearers of the two most powerful teams. China chose its most intimidating, yet engaging, figure, 7-foot-6 basketball star Yao Ming who, in some ways, epitomizes the cross-marketing of a profitable Chinese product to an image-conscious corporation in the West (the NBA). America's athletes chose neither a medal favorite nor a famous name but rather the slight, 148-pound runner Lopez Lomong, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan who is a member of Team Darfur, to carry their colors. With this act they made a far-from-subtle commentary on China's dismal record on human rights at home and abroad.