Friday, April 18, 2008
Do you agree with a boycott of the Beijing Olympics? Discuss.

Topic(s)- Sports, Politics

Issue- Boycotting the Olympics

Context- Present, 2008 Olympics in Beijing

Keywords-
Do you agree: yes/no
boycott: abstain from participating
Olympics: 
discuss: both sides of the issue

Stand- I do not agree

Topic sentences:
1) With a boycott, the efforts of atheletes who have trained so hard prior to the Olympics will be put to waste.
2) A boycott will inevitably harm China both economically and socially.
3) A boycott will strain diplomatics ties between China and countries involved in the act.
4) Ironically, a boycott will defeat the purpose of the Olympics, that is to promote international harmony.

Paragraph for TS 1

Point: With a boycott, the efforts of atheletes who have trained so hard prior to the Olympics will be put to waste.

Elaboration: Hundreds of atheletes have put in their best efforts to train for days, months and even years just to qualify and participate in this prestigious event. A boycott will deprive many from achieving this dream.

Evidence: In the 1980 summer Olympics in Moscow, about 60 countries boycotted in the event. The boycott declared by various nations did not benefit the situation in any way but instead, penalised more than 100 innocent atheletes from participating in the prestigious competition. The trainings and efforts of the atheletes were wasted as a result.

Evaluation: It does not make sense to deprive atheletes from joining the Olympics simply because of political issues. There should be a distinct line between politics and sports. From the 1980 Olympics, it can be seen that the boycott did not achieve its aim. It only deprived atheletes from participating in the once-in-four-years event.

Link: Therefore, i see no reason to boycott the Beijing Olympics as it will ultimately affect no one except the atheletes.

Shi Xiong (9)