The Olympic Torch

This years summer games will be held in China.  As such, it is the right of the Chinese government to re-light the torch and to pass the torch around the world until the start of the games.  “The grandiose relay is the longest in Olympic history and has the most torchbearers — a sign of the vast attention lavished on the Games by Beijing, which hopes to use it to showcase China’s rising economic and political power.” Writes a reporter for the AP in Olympic Torch Re-Lit in Tiannamen Square on March 31, 2008.  For more information please see http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/31/olympics.torch.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch  The timing of this is quite unfortunate for the Chinese government.  With the Tibetan incident is still fresh on most people’s minds and this showcase will most likely only lead to more demonstrations.  Although the move was intended to show off their new prowess, ultimatly it will only hurt their already somewhat tarnished international reputation.