Do international sports govern particular aspects of foreign relations? For example: do you see the Olympics or the World Cup as a blessing or curse for your country's diplomatic style? If you agree or disagree, why?

P.S. Forza Azzurri!

Sports give a Nation the opportunity to do on the playing field what they would like to do on the battlefield.
The U.S.S.R in the 50's-70's would pull kids out of grade school and put them in long term sports camps. We can look at this and say " how cruel can you be." If you look at sports in America it is not really different. While there is no official policy of 'drafting' children here many parents willingly spend 10's of thousands of dollars sending their kids to sports camps.
The Soviets wanted to bring glory to the Motherland. Here we basicly do the same thing, but the parents are the ones allowed to ruin the kids life, rather than the State.

Hey I am not usually interested in spectator sports but my recent travels peaked my interest in the World cup! The night we landed in London we caught the end of the England vs Equador match when England was still in it.Watching that match in a historic pub and observing the fans was a blast! While taking a walk around Big Ben and Convent Garden area the Fans truly were insane. Guys naked painted in British flags runnng up and down the street screaming. It was fun. Next we were on to St. Remy where we saw France beat Spain. the French were more subdued but very happy. A few days later on the 30th we had dinner with an Italian family in Turin (we hosted their son this past school year). We discussed politics and caught the end of the Italy vs Ukraine match and you could hear the entire town celebrating.

Really the games did not seem as much of a political issue as one of national pride. I will definitely tune in tomorrow to watch the match. It may be the first sports game I have watched in 20 years on TV! I am torn I am rooting for Italy (Forzo Azzurri!!) but I like the french player Zidane for his tenacity and sportmanship. My mother is French so I have an affinity towards both Italy and France.

I might try to download a picture in the pub of myself caught in the middle of these raving maniac fans. I had never seen anything like it!

Sam, I can share your football experiences almost as similarly. I was in a hotel lobby in Greece surrounded by British fans watching the big screen TV when England played Ecuador. The fans had taped a poster of David Beckham on the bottom of the TV, set up a British club fundraiser box, and strung a England beach towel over the chair next to the TV! What really got me, though, was when they lost to Portugal in penalties. I was having dinner out and watching on the TV, and the fans were going nuts! They were pretty much eating their hats!

I'll fill you in on the mayhem of when Italy plays tomorrow! When they beat Germany there was honking in the streets until 3 AM!

I want to hear all the details. I met a man on the plane coming back to the states..He was an older guy 70ish. He had been in Verona, Italy at some historic amphitheather at the opera when Italy beat Germany. Apparently even those who do not appreciate opera love to attend in Verona because of the historic traditions of it being by candlelight and beautiful. I guess he attends every year and he was in Verona when the match ended and he said in the middle of the opera horns started to blow and honking and a huge commotion. The opera paused so everyone could have a moment of celebration and then the opera resumed. As I said i will be watching tomorrow , it will be in the morning in the U.S.

Im ambivalent. Forza Grosso e Toni.

Atlanta '96, following LA '84. Definitely politics formed that result in choice through the IOC.

About the World Cup, ask yourselves why there a four representatives from the region the Us are in, when there is absolutely no more than one or two teams, that deserve a place?

That is only the begining of the debarkle that is the IOC, FIFA, ICC and I would guess the influence the USA has over certain policies.

Forza Azurri ! Campioni Del Mondo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In a match between Greg Luganus and that little Chinese chick of the last Olympics, they deserved each other. Mind you I didn't think the Italians could win in a penalty shootout.