Crown Prince Frederik - a candidate for the IOC?

[Marengo]

Well, in some things you can do training, work harder etc. and you will never learn. Frederik is almost 40 by now and I suppose as a crownprince he has done a lot of speeches et all, so if that isn´t one of his stronger points (which the DIF seems to believe) why would you want to keep going in that direction? Perhaps it would be better to focus on things that he does have very good skills for, like communicating witth he Danish public for example. Mind you, as a crownprince he should always have a basic level of speeches, debates and such, but to go and look look for it especially in an official function for another organisation (IOC) might be too much.

[GlitteringTiaras]

A very interesting article and newscast regarding Frederik, the IOC, and 2008 Olympics; click here to watch and read.

This is something that will be very interesting to see how it will play out. Will he? Or won't he? Personally speaking I wouldn't... heavens no.

[dazzling]

Danish crown prince urged to avoid Beijing Games opening ceremony

...Three parties in the Danish parliament have backed calls urging the future heir to the Danish throne to avoid the opening ceremony to protest Beijing's human rights record.... - Article Source

[GlitteringTiaras]

Thanks for the link, Dazzling.

Here is another article, but this one notes that The Reigning Couple of Norway, including Haakon, will attend, and it seems now Frederik has chosen to go according these news reports: here, here, and here.

So despite world outcries for him as well as other public figures not to attend the 2008 Games, due to China's horrific human rights violations, Frederik will be there.

tsk tsk

[Fashionista100]

I disagree, he should be there. This is the Olympics, it is where the world is to set aside their differences and come together. It should not be made an arena for political statements, however right or wrong they are. Frederick is going to support the danes and represent the danes. As a royal he is expected to be above political things.

[T4phage]

Originally Posted by Fashionista100

I disagree, he should be there. This is the Olympics, it is where the world is to set aside their differences and come together. It should not be made an arena for political statements, however right or wrong they are. Frederick is going to support the danes and represent the danes. As a royal he is expected to be above political things.

That's a perfect way of putting it. If the DRF isn't allowed to take sides in politics, or interfere in politics, why should this situation be any different? Frederik is going to the Olympics to support his country, not to mention he enjoys sports so it's business and pleasure for him. (well perhaps not business, but he will be representing his country )

[GlitteringTiaras]

Originally Posted by Fashionista100

I disagree, he should be there. This is the Olympics, it is where the world is to set aside their differences and come together. It should not be made an arena for political statements, however right or wrong they are. Frederick is going to support the danes and represent the danes. As a royal he is expected to be above political things.

You're right.

Nonetheless, he is in a difficult situation especially since he wants to a member of the IOC. By attending he is also playing the political IOC "game." On the otherhand, if he doesn't attend it will look too political by snubbing the very people he desperately wants to be apart of.

Like I noted before, and again in another forum: I applaud the choice Prince Charles made.

Essentially, in the end, I sort of believe Frederik simply wants attend to support the Danish teams as well as signal to the IOC that he's desperately wants to be a member. I mean, afterall, it is an honor, right?

[norwegianne]

As I pointed out with the Norwegian royals attending (and as the Danish PM seems to agree with me on, in an article) - as long as the official Denmark sends athletes, the channels of diplomacy and trade remain open - Frederik would step outside his role as an apolitical figurehead, if he alone were to boycott it. Any diplomatic activity/negotiations with China from the official Denmark happens through the elected channels as it is today. If the Danish delegation were to withdraw, I'd agree that Frederik should do so as well, but as it is he's there primarily because of the Danish athletes. Denmark has an elected government to take stands, it has athletes who could take a stand - the only one who cannot do it because of the political implications, is actually Frederik, imo.

As the Danish Amnesty said: "It is a sporting event. If we were to criticize every time a sporting event was hold somewhere human rights were violated, we'd be very busy. As it is we're using the time during the Olympics to put the spotlight on the violations of human rights that happens in China."

[marmi]

I know that the 2000 Olympics are in the past, but as a tourism major I have been lectured on exactly this issue - CHina's human rights record and how keep it out of the media spotlight. It was also discussed that the Sydney 2000 olympics brought the same sort of thing to Australia (this time about the treatment of the aboriginal "stolen generation" - here's the Wikipedia entry for the stolen generation if you're interested.



Now - as far as my own opinion goes, I agree with the posters who pointed out that the olympics are a sports event - and it should stay that way. There are other ways to make political views known.

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by norwegianne

As I pointed out with the Norwegian royals attending (and as the Danish PM seems to agree with me on, in an article) - as long as the official Denmark sends athletes, the channels of diplomacy and trade remain open - Frederik would step outside his role as an apolitical figurehead, if he alone were to boycott it. Any diplomatic activity/negotiations with China from the official Denmark happens through the elected channels as it is today. If the Danish delegation were to withdraw, I'd agree that Frederik should do so as well, but as it is he's there primarily because of the Danish athletes.

I couldn't agree more Norwegianne
I find the ongoing discussion in DK about royal attendence or not very weird - why send sports delegations to the games and then require the royals to take a differenct political stand - doesn't make sense IMO.

[Lilla]

Originally Posted by UserDane

I couldn't agree more Norwegianne
I find the ongoing discussion in DK about royal attendence or not very weird - why send sports delegations to the games and then require the royals to take a differenct political stand - doesn't make sense IMO.

I agree. If you say yes to the one you must say yes to the other as well. The problem isn't the royal attendance - Denmark should have decided not to send any sport delegation at all. Doing this is a complet contradiction to our fundamental views regarding human rights and freedom of speach.

[Empress]

and yet again, The Olympics were created in order to keep a friendly non political channel open between all nations. It would be terrible for any country not to send a delegation.

Think of it this way, by the Olympics occuring in China, they have all that more attention thrown on the human rights violations than would have ever been the case. And, additionally, the Games offer the chance for people to come together and show that you do not need to violate human rights to have an orderly society.

The games should not be boycotted, because then the games themselves becoem an instrument of politics, and that would completely debase them.

[GlitteringTiaras]

Hm, well typically I'm alone here on this forum when it comes to my feelings about this situation and public figures attending these OG. I refuse to turn a blind eye; now I know how Prince Charles must be feeling.

Clearly the DA is playing the "game"/let's not upset anyone so we'll play the diplomatic card. Furthermore, the Olympics are filled with politics. Doesn't anyone find it strange that the Olympics promote the idea of "Peace and Harmony..." all warm fuzzy feelings towards each other...and this time it will take place... in China!?

Ohhhh the irony...

[marmi]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

Hm, well typically I'm alone here on this forum when it comes to my feelings about this situation and public figures attending these OG. I refuse to turn a blind eye; now I know how Prince Charles must be feeling.

Clearly the DA is playing the "game"/let's not upset anyone so we'll play the diplomatic card. Furthermore, the Olympics are filled with politics. Doesn't anyone find it strange that the Olympics promote the idea of "Peace and Harmony..." all warm fuzzy feelings towards each other...and this time it will take place... in China!?

Ohhhh the irony...

Yes, I definutely see the irony - and am greatful that the issue has been given attention - it needed to IMO. But why "punish" the atheletes?

[UserDane]

The thing we should really object to I think is that China was awarded the games in the first place.

[Drottning]

Originally Posted by UserDane

The thing we should really object to I think is that China was awarded the games in the first place.

Hear, hear.