Sports

Widgets Available for Summer Olympics

I had planned to boycott the summer olympics as a show of solidarity with Tibet’s desire to preserve their culture and to be allowed more autonomy from the Chinese government, but I have to admit that NBC is making it difficult for me to stick to my plan. I have been very disappointed with NBC’s olympic coverage for the past several olympics, so I thought ignoring them this summer wouldn’t be a problem.

The Dalai Lama is not advocating a boycott of the olympics even though he acknowledges that the Chinese government is treating Tibetans unfairly. In an interview posted on his web site his position is described as follows:

He keeps stressing how pro-Chinese he is. He has never urged a boycott of the Beijing Olympics and wants other countries to go to Beijing. He supported China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation and has consistently supported all reasonable outside engagement with China. However, he also tells the truth about China’s behaviour inside Tibet, which is frankly appalling. He believes about 200 Tibetans were killed in the crackdown following the Tibetan demonstrations in March, although even he finds accurate information incredibly difficult to come by.

So, even though I disagree strongly with the Chinese position regarding Tibet and the Dalai Lama, I am considering watching the olympics this year. I also heard a rumor that Keith Olberman is going to be there. Another good reason to follow the developments in China as the games are being held.

NBC and MSN have implemented an excellent web site, and are providing really good quality digital coverage of the US olympic trials that are in progress now, and they are advertising extensive live web coverage of the games themselves. As an avid sports fan, and dedicated user of the Internet, I am very favorably impressed by the extensive, well designed, feature rich web site. Also impressive are the widgets that are available on the site. Some are available now, like the one below, and others will be available once the games begin. Kudos to NBC and MSN for this excellent web site. If the TV coverage is as well done as the web site, we are in for a treat.

© 2008 Life is an Ongoing Process.