Category: Olympics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Tokyo Olympics 2021 Will Not Allow Demonstrations

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Tokyo Olympics 2021 Will Not Allow Demonstrations

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

2021 Tokyo logo (pininterest.com image)

IOC Rule 50 states that: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas. The Rule strives to ensure that the focus at the Olympic Games remains on athletes, performances, sport, unity and universality according to the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”

The 2021 Olympic Games was postponed last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but will take place this year from July 23 to August 8. For good or bad the world of sports is contaminated with politics and the world’s largest sporting stage is setting the example that sports are sports and nations should compete in sports, not on an interchange or political ideas or any-type of propaganda that has nothing to do with what these athletes have prepared for years.

The decision, by the IOC to stay the course with Rule 50, was made after 10 months of surveying/consultation with 3500 plus athletes in 41 sports that represents 185 countries in Olympic competition. The results showed “A clear majority said that is not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, (about 70 percent of athletes), either at the field of play or at official ceremonies or on the podium.” もういや = no more. It makes sense; I think we are all suffering from demonstration fatigue by now.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for Oakland A’s baseball on flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: USA Could Boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022

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2022 Beijing Winter Olympics logo (photo from bleacherreport.com)

USA Could Boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday confirmed that it is weighing the possibility of a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics, to be held in Beijing, China. The push for a boycott stems from China’s alleged human rights abuses, and its treatment of the Uyghurs, an ethnic minority group that China has moved to “re-education” camps, which is a sanitized word for what many believe are slave labor camps and genocide against the Muslim minority in that country.

Chinese authorities are notorious for silencing of human rights defenders, journalists, and activists, and placing restrictions on their internet. They also are persecuting Christians and churches. It is difficult to obtain accurate information about Chinese government policies and their actions.

Last year, the country of China silenced scientists in their country that spoke about the mishandling of the covid-19 virus which it is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China. The communist government, who controls the media is very protective and rarely allows a different opinion than the official opinion of the Chinese government. In 2020 Chinese Tycoon Ren Zhiquiang vanished after criticizing the government for their handling and misinformation about the corona virus pandemic.

While the U.S. government does not appear close to a decision on a potential boycott of the 2022 games, the threat is sure to raise concerns within Comcast’s NBC Universal, which has the TV rights for the Olympics.

In 1980 the United States led a boycott of the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow to protest the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Then four years later in 1984 the Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles. 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies, led by the Soviet Union, initiated the boycott for the games in 1984.

This boycott occurred during the Cold War, which ultimately was won by US/Free World. Once the Berlin Wall fell, freedom and democracy was adopted by The Soviet Union, now Russia. In 1991 the process of democratization began in Russia.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: XXXII Olympic Summer Games – Japan $12.6 Billion

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2021 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo (image from NBC Sports)

XXXII Olympic Summer Games – Japan $12.6 Billion

By Amaury Pi-González

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The government of Japan has invested the equivalent of $12.6 billion dollars to host this Summer Olympic Games. Although it will be held between July 23 and August 8, 2021 the Tokyo Olympics will still be called the 2020 Olympics, that could not take place because of the Pandemic.

This is the first time this world sporting event will be held in an odd-numbered year, since the modern era began in 1896. Total of 11,091 athletes from 206 nations are scheduled to participate at the Japan National Stadium, in Tokyo.

Japan is the third most industrialized and third largest economy in the world, however beginning this 2021 newly reported cases of Coronavirus are an all-time high in Tokyo and a second state of emergency for the capital Tokyo with a population of 9.5 million people has been declared. Despite the current circumstances, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has remained steadfast in his plan to host the 2020 Olympic Games this summer.

The budget for this Olympic Games in Tokyo is a US equivalent of $12.6 billion dollars, by far the most expensive in history. And late last year it was reported it could even be twice as much. Even for a rich country as Japan, money is no match for the Coronavirus.

World Wars, politics, terrorism and pandemics have infringed the Olympics during history. If the Olympics do not take place, Japan looses a huge investment, but its only money and a rich country like Japan definitely could survive it.

For the thousands of athletes around the world, that have trained for years this moment in their lives that could definitely be devastating. After all they take place every four years. A 16-year old female gymnast, if the games are cancelled would be 20 years old when their next opportunity comes around.

That, most likely would kill the chances of that gymnast. A Gymnast has a window of opportunity when they are at the “top of their game”, during their young teen years. It would also affect mentally as well as physically most participants, regardless of age.

Many American Olympic hopefuls keep training and praying that the games take place as scheduled. The last Summer Olympic Games took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The USA delegation was the largest among all 206 nations, with 554 athletes. This year is expected to be very similar in size. There are a handful of new sports added this time.

Baseball and softball are back on the Olympics after being absent since the Beijing 2008 games. Major League Baseball players are not allowed to participate in the Olympics.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL/Olympics Podcast with Joe Lami: Now it’s time for hockey to grow the women’s game

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sbnation.com photo: US Women’s Olympic team celebrates after overtime win past Team Canada on Wednesday at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics

On the NHL Podcast with Joe:

1 The US Women’s team played a nailbiter with a 3-2 shootout win over Team Canada, the last time the US Women’s team won gold was in 1998

2 The US broke Canada’s four straight gold medal streak in Women’s hockey

3 It was the penalty shootout that clinched it for Team USA in a game where both teams played it until it hurt

4 It was anniversary of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team when Team USA beat the Soviets. Was this win just as huge as that 1980 game?

5 Canada defenseman Jocelyne Larocque took her silver medal off during the award ceremony because she only wanted to wear gold

Joe Lami will be back with the NHL Podcast next Monday for all the latest in the NHL trade deadline at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tony Renteria Headline Sports Podcast: Olympic Gold for Women’s Hockey; Cuban and Mavs operations tied up in a nasty bunch

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abcnews.com: US Women’s Olympic team powers past Team Canada with a one goal victory to win gold at the 2018 Pyeonchang Olympics on Thursday

On the Headlines Podcast with Tony:

1 Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says losing is a good thing and that the Mavericks can cover their bad roster moves

2 Cuban was fined $600,000 for his remarks. The Mavericks who have only 18 wins and are in last place. Cuban in a meeting with the players said that the regular season is a farce.

3 Cuban was remorseful that former team President Terdema Ussery who worked for the Mavericks for two decades 1998-2015 was reported by team employees for harassing, demeaning, and made unwanted advances. Ussery is now a vice president at Under Armor.

4 The Sacramento Kings who have lost three straight open a three game homestand at Golden One tonight with Oklahoma City, Saturday with the Lakers, and Monday night with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

5. The US Olympic Women’s hockey team got gold with another miracle on ice victory Thursday 3-2 beating Team Canada at the Pyeongchang Olympics

Tony Renteria does headline sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com