Ann Dominique Morin has earned a bursary of $500 for her essay “Hosting the Olympic Games – A Privilege Accompanied by Obligations”, which illustrates her commitment to human rights. Ann Dominique Morin is working towards her Master’s in International Law at the Université de Montréal.
Two essays received honourable mention from the jury. “The Olympics and Human Rights” written by Bethany Deshpande, a student at York University’s Glendon College, was a favourite of the jury’s. “The Moral Pole Vault” by Srinivas Murthy of Boston, Massachusetts, was honoured for its editorial style.
by Bethany Deshpande
Honourable mention
I love the Olympics. I love the precision of top-rate athleticism, the colourful costumes, and the determination in the eyes of not only those competing, but of the coaches, families and even the fans. I love the super-human abilities of our countries best – people who come from our communities, who know our brothers or who are our sisters: people who represent who we are in our best moments.
Instead of showing ourselves in our best moments, however, the 2008 Beijing Olympics were over-shadowed by human rights violations in China. At the time that China won the bid to host the 2008 Olympics, Chinese official Liu Qui stated that hosting the Olympics would benefit human rights development in China.
The world watched, however, as the Olympics actually produced the opposite effect. In the time leading up to the Olympics, many Chinese migrant workers were evicted from their homes, critics of the Chinese government were arrested and detained, Tibetans were massacred by Chinese officials and media and political expressions have continued to be repressed.
The world has watched as China prioritizes glam and pride over the value of human life. Top Olympic sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Lenovo, McDonald’s and more, have failed to demonstrate any sense of social corporate responsibility. Beyond this, however, our display of indifference towards the actions of the Chinese government goes to show where our own priorities lie.
The Olympics are an international event and a reflection of the world’s priorities. This year, humanity prioritized pride and fame over the basic needs of others. The 2008 Olympics will forever be representative of the divide which exists between the rich and the poor and the inequality of a society that we are not only a part of, but one which we have created ourselves.
