Assertions that the Games rise above politics are belied by their history.
Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and Turkey — all on the losing side of World War I — were not invited to participate. The ban on Germany remained in effect four years later.Spain refused to send athletes but efforts to organizeagainst the Nazi regime failed. In a debate that would be familiar today, Avery Brundage, then the president of the American Olympic Committee, argued that the Games belonged to athletes.
Politics intruded on different fronts. Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq stayed home over the crisis over the Suez Canal, during which Israel invaded Egypt after it nationalized the canal. The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland protested the Soviet invasion of Hungary. China withdrew just before the opening to protest Taiwan's inclusion.
File: Extending gloved hands skyward in racial protest, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and John Carlos stare downward during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner after Smith received the gold and Carlos the bronze for the 200 meter run at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City on Oct. 16, 1968.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Games of Thrones' star John Bradley is a modern man in 'Moonfall,' 'Marry Me'For “Game of Thrones” fans worrying that they haven’t seen John Bradley in a while, don’t worry: He was busy trading dragons and swords for screen time with Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez.
Read more »
Female Olympians collect first USA medals at Beijing GamesWomen secured Team USA's first two medals of the Beijing Winter Olympics today, winning silvers in women's freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
Read more »
Photos: Highlights of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic games Day 2Check out the photo highlights from Day 2 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
Read more »
Murphy’s political games threaten charter success in Newark | MoranFamilies in Newark want more seats in charter schools. Why is the governor blocking their expansion?
Read more »