Nodic International News Center Attempts by politicians from certain countries to politicize the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing should be just a reminder, but also a warning, that there can be no justifiable reason for that kind of politicization of sports. It is my deepest conviction that such politicization cannot in any way contribute to solving any political issue or dispute, but only can harm the essence of the sports.
Building relations between sport and politics is very sensitive field and those relations should only promote cooperation and solidarity that bring people closer and not make walls between them. That is why politicians have the responsibility to guard the borders between sports and politics and to keep sports above all political differences. Sport competition must not reflect any political competition and that is the only way to preserve the very nature of the sports and its irreplaceable spirit. The presence of voices that call for politicization of Winter Olympic Games are at the same time the call for the world to oppose that kind of political behavior. That is why the solidarity should be the biggest winner of the upcoming Olympic Games, as the opportunity to promote the principle in which we are all stronger by standing together.
Olympic Games, as a crown of celebrating sports, are at the same time celebration of human kind as unity in which we respect not just the same rules, but also each other.Olympic Games celebrate differences in unity and in that sense any walls between differences of any kind is attacking the very spirit of the Olympic Games. It is our civilizational task to nurture and develop the Olympic Games as precious platform on which all man are equal, following equal rules. Beijing Winter Games should be the celebration of the ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria or “Olympic Truce” and the world has the historical task to cherish that hallowed principle of the Olympics. Such a great tradition of our civilization must not be endangered in the name of any political goal.
Let the games in Beijing begin as new era in winter sports globally.
Let the solidarity and equality be the first winner in Beijing this winter.
Let the Games begin!
Boris Tadic Former President of Serbia January 11, 2022