Muhammad Ali and the Olympic Torch

At the last Olympics, Muhammad Ali struggled just to climb the steep stairs of the stadium before his shaking hand held high the Olympic Torch. It was a heroic and touching moment of triumph for Ali's life. Muhammad Ali long has suffered from Parkinson 's disease. It was also a moment of triumph for the Olympic Torch.

The Olympic torch is a great symbol not of divisiveness, but of the ability of nations to come together despite their differences. The Olympics themselves are a celebration of people. Typically, of people who have achieved the epitome of there athletic endeavors, not by right or money, but by the sweat of their own efforts. The Olympics should never be a venue for protestors.

The issues raised by recent protesters may be completely valid. Even if there is no excuse for the Chinese government, the Olympic Torch is the wrong target. The protestors want freedom for Tibet and the ability of the Tibetan people to self rule. Is this not the same noble goal as the Olympics themselves, to let each control their own success or failure.

It would be easy to take a cynical view of any sport including the Olympics. All sports have become commercialized. I do not think though, that the typical Olympic shot putter from Bulgaria will be sponsored by GE or Google. Why rain on the athlete's parade? Why rain on the Olympics? Why rain on Muhammad Ali's parade?

If Muhammad Ali can overcome racism, Sonny Liston, The Thrilla in Manila and Parkinson's disease to carry the Olympic torch, then at least the protestors can overcome their need for obtaining self serving, second hand, publicity by refraining to protest this event.

There must be a more creative way the protestors of the Olympic Torch can achieve their goal of publicity. The protestors appear to be well organized, well intentioned and very energetic. Is it not the Chinese government they want to change? They could learn from Muhammad Ali who was himself no stranger to self promotion.

How the killing of some child's dream to carry the torch of the greatest sporting event in history will lead to the Dalai Lama's success, is a difficult concept to understand.

Perhaps if the protestors will work as hard at changing the world as the athletes did to reach the Olympics, then they will succeed. The act of interrupting the torch run by the protestors is a cheap method to reach their goal. It is no different than a little league baseball player running into the middle of a World Series game to try and catch an outfield fly ball.

Muhammad Ali won the light-heavyweight gold medal as an Olympic athlete in the Rome games of nineteen sixty. Ali went on to become known "The Greatest" during his illustrious boxing career.

Another interesting article about Muhammad Ali can be found on Associated Content.

Sources:

Mike MorrisonMuhammad Ali Timeline Pearson Education, Inc.

Associated Content Associated Content, Inc.