Sports are dividing people on the home front, and now possibly on the international stage. The 2018 Winter Olympics is set to be hosted in South Korea, but there are some countries threatening to back out.
On Sept. 21 and 22, reports came out that a few major European competitors might refuse to attend the games amidst security concerns. According to Reuters, France’s Sport Minister Laura Flessel told RTL radio that if, “our security cannot be assured, the French Olympics team will stay home.” That sentiment was reportedly echoed by Austrian, German, and Lithuanian Olympic officials.
However, each team emphasized that their participation would depend on the nuclear crisis “getting worse” and on the level of security guaranteed by the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC has continued to try to alleviate the international anxiety. This past August, IOC President Thomas Bach told the AP that in his opinion there is “no reason for any immediate concern” and that they were “closely monitoring developments.” Earlier this month, Bach reassured the public that he was “confident” that the Olympic Games would continue as scheduled, but that the IOC was “not getting involved” in diplomatic efforts.
The Winter Olympics are 134 days away, set to kick off on Feb. 9 and run through Feb. 25. PyeongChang, the host city, is only 40 miles away from the thin demilitarized zone.
No one is quite sure if North Korea is going to compete or qualify in these Olympic Games. According to a report from the New York Times, South Korean leaders and Olympic officials feel that the games would be “safer with North Korea’s participation, lessening security concerns.” Although North Korean IOC official Chang Ung told the AP that “nobody knows” if South Korea would be safe.
So what would it mean if European competitors pulled out from the Olympics?
Aside from the fact that it would mean that the U.S. and North Korea were on verge of war, it would be terrible for the South Korea. These games are projected to bring roughly $61 billion into the South Korean economy. According to a report from USA Today, the total cost for the country will surpass $10 billion, yet ticket sales have been lagging.
How will it affect the rest of us? There’s no way to know for sure.
Looking at the possible negative outcomes — these Olympic Games could be a powder keg. If there was even the slightest accident or injury involving military tensions, the entire international community could be affected. Although, that is a bit outlandishly pessimistic. More realistically, but still troubling, would be the clash of ego between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump over the medal counts.
On the other hand, this could be a great opportunity.
The Olympics would be a perfect place for North Korea to try and garner international sympathy, or at least toleration, following up on the efforts they made at the United Nations. Starting a conflict during the Olympics, where nations of hundreds of athletes of various nationalities would be at risk, would make North Korea even more internationally hated.
Although the Olympic Games have had a checkered past during times of major conflict, the IOC actively promotes a message of peace and cooperation that can be accomplished by multilateral competition. While it may be naive to still have faith in the efforts to bond our divided world, sometimes the only choice is between hope and despair.
Personally, I think the US, and the other Olympic competitors, should continue to prepare for the worst but hope for the best. If we give in or back down, then fear wins.
Gabriella Muñoz is a commentary desk intern with the Washington Examiner and a student at Georgetown University.
