Should the US boycott the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia due to their human rights abuses?

If we didn't boycott China for the Summer Olympics we should not boycott Russia for the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics are the only ones worth watching since they have hockey.

It would not be a good idea to boycott the Olympics. It would only do harm to our Olympic athletes who have spent years training for this moment, and for some this would be their first time.

Russia's culture is different from ours, they are more conservative nowadays and liberals are not so popular over there. I find it funny how American media outlets claim that this one liberal opposition leader is Putin's main competition, which is completely false. Putin's main competition is the Soviet party itself, which their presidential nominee placed second in the last election (but did not come close to beating Putin). Is it really our place to tell how Russia must conduct its domestic affairs? The Russian government is not breaking any international law, that I am aware of, by banning gay pride parades and rallies.

I don't expect that to happen. I think some pundits have created this idea but it really has no legs politically speaking.

Now, to answer you question directly though.... I don't know if it is a matter of "should". There is certainly a good argument for boycotting for that reason but I don't think it changes anything or makes the world cheer and/or shudder when boycotting something like the Olympics anymore. The world is too stimulated, Olympic watching is not as strong as it used to be world wide. Politics still touch the Olympics but not like it used to.

I wouldn't boycott them but if we did I wouldn't be outraged over it either.... and I would still watch them. The Winter Olympics is the better Olympics as far as I am concerned.

Unites states does not control other nations especially Russia, There are plenty of Human Rights Violation in US...For example 95% of the food you eat is Genetically modified, but USDA does not have to disclose that to you...where is you right to information...Why are farmers terrified and abused by big meat packing companies, why is there still Guantanamo Bay, ..fight your own human rights violations. and if you think your journalist are not heavily censored you are ignorant...during the bush admin, journalist were not allowed to report what was really going on in Afghanistan and the actual number of casualties US was suffering...

we survived in 1980 without certain countries participation. And those who took part had a great time and memories for the rest of their lives. Even nowadays people watching closing ceremony with this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owhEVfh4DMw

(including those who were not even born in 1980) have very positive feelings and inspiration for new achievements, belief in good things, healthy way of life, peaceful coexistence of different people, spirit of friendship etc... - exactly what Olympics are devoted for.

The same song in French:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-pagYfAX8c&list=P...

Text in English:

The stadium stands are getting quiet…

Time of miracles is melting away.

Farewell to you, our tender Misha,

Go back home to your wood of fairy tales.

Don’t be sad, give a smile before the parting,

And recall these good days, please recall…

Wish us all the fulfillment of wishes,

Wish a new meeting soon to us all.

So let’s wish lots of luck to each other,

Let’s wish kindness and love with no end,

Bright and clear echo of the Olympics

Will forever be cherished and sang.

Farewell to you, Moscow, farewell,

Farewell, the Olympic fairy tale,

Wish us all the fulfillment of wishes,

Wish a new meeting soon to us all.

chorus:

Friends are coming apart,

Tenderness stays in the heart…

We shall cherish the song.

Farewell, we shall meet again.

----

And don't forget that idea of boycott was about USSR war in Afghanistan. What do we see now? Those who judged us are doing the same senseless things there.

You know, history repeats. Now they (certain groups of people, those who are full of hatred toward million of people they have never seen ad will never see) scream about abuse of human rights in Russia, tomorrow they will abuse these rights themselves. Fortunately they are minority nowadays.

Right now Russia has a better human rights record than America does.

I never though I would see the day when Americans would have to flee to Russia to escape political persecution!

the olympics should boycott us for human rights violations, going into other countries without permission and killing people with drones, in fact, why isn't the Haig after 0bama for crimes against humanity?

No. It has been found that previous Olympic boycotts have no effect except to rob the world of great sports entertainment.

Obama had a crackdown on journalists also. That cool with you son.

Most winter Olympians are a bunch of rich liberals anyway. Who cares.

LOL. Like what?

Spying on their people?

Making them purchase product from private companies or get fined?

Killilng citizens without trials ?

Creating Big Brother?

Telling them who they must like and what they must think?