PLATFORM : Premature Move

While it appears that South Africa has made some gains regarding basic human rights, I firmly believe the lifting of the 21-year ban of South Africa from Olympic competition was premature.

As long as people living in South Africa don’t have an equal vote and do not receive equal pay, the country should not be allowed to compete with other nations. If, indeed, South Africa is really trying to make changes, then we must do all we can to help them along.

Unfortunately, given the conjunction of politics and the IOC, it’s not really that surprising that the IOC lifted its ban. Do you really believe it’ nothing more than a coincidence that the IOC lifted its ban at the same time that President Bush lifted U.S. sanctions?

However, I still hope that the IOC closely monitors South Africa and is prepared to act quickly if the country is blowing smoke screens.