IOC Requires Definition for "International".

"International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge on Tuesday as saying he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the demonstrations and that the IOC's executive board would discuss abandoning the international leg in a meeting Friday."

Love progress. Many people, who were set to attend the torch relay, as well as the Olympics themselves, are now not doing so. Growing numbers of people who have purchased tickets to the event in China have stated hey are not going. Along with this are those traveling in china that have been deciding to go home early from their travels and are leaving China in support of Tibet.

Who says people can not make a difference when change is needed? It might only be a small step but due to protest during the Olympic torch run, the IOC is considering the cancellation of the Olympic torches international journey. This came after great protests in London, Paris, and those brave climbers scaling their way up the Golden Gate Bridge to attach flags and a sign that read "One World, One Dream" and "Free Tibet '08".

IOC member Dick Pound stated "Nobody likes what goes on in Tibet. We'd like to see a solution for it, but to build your entire response to the China-Tibet problem on the back of a team of synchronized swimmers and other athletes at the Games I think is wrong and counterproductive."

I see these statements as completely near-sighted and selfish as Pound merely doesn’t want to see the Olympics tarnished -like that hasn’t happened before. Olympic committee members like Pound, state that these actions involving boycotts and protesting the torch run are "wrong and counterproductive". How does that even make sense?

While people are dieing and struggling b/c a) their own government is not helping, but more importantly, b) even if they were to attempt to help their country the oppression and struggle that the Tibet people and government endure at the hands of China, would not allow them to.

With China reaping the financial benefits of this international event, is there a better time to protest then now? All of those cameras snapping shots and filming men and women with the symbolic torch or peace and international unity. These images will be seen by millions and millions of people world wide. Can you tell me a better way to make your struggle known Mr. Pound? Do these protests actually sound "wrong and counterproductive"?

Pound along with all the other greed-head jerks are essentially telling the world;
"You want to protest, and make your unjust suffering known? That’s awesome. Just be sure to do it in your own country on your own time in your home or country side where no one will see you. And above all; do not do it in the ideal environment on an international stage that boycotts the very country that you are protesting."

Now is Pound to blame? No. Although corrupt on other levels - Is the IOC to blame? No. And I understand what he means about how the protests might hinder the Olympic athletes that have worked so hard to get here. But if you are not wanting to be positive and help the issue b/c of financial losses or altering your agenda then you are not helping either. If they (IOC) were to do something dramatic at this point, you never know it could mean making some political difference in a country struggling for freedom.

Could you imagine if the IOC was to actually help by stating that the Olympics will be banned in China unless political change is made? Now this would never happen and I would feel sorry for those athletes involved but there is an alternative to that where everyone wins except China.

Ban the 08 Olympics in China. Relocate to another country with the same facilities -as there are a few. The new country receives the money from spectators requiring accommodations, dining... The athletes still get to compete. The IOC and all the groups involved with them will still have ticket sales advertising and so on. There may be some loss on relocation and so on but any real profit could go to support those in Tibet.

I know it is not that simple but when great change and progress are required, the means are never effortless. So if the IOC and/or Mr. Pound read this please consider this as a plausible alternative.