Athletes wake up reluctantly: this is politics.

Ask the athletes, and you get athlete opinions. The Torch is patient There is the usual selfishness here. When does politics begin? When you put on your shoes. Plants have no politics. Everything with a brain has politics.


U.S. Olympic Hopefuls
Shy Away From Politics
By CHRISTOPHER RHOADS and STEPHANIE KANG
April 15, 2008; Page A9
CHICAGO -- Political issues have dominated talk of the coming Olympics in recent weeks, but American athletes here for a media event didn't want to wade into discussing them.

When questioned about Tibet, Darfur and various demonstrations that already have erupted, they generally demurred, preferring to want to focus on their training. "I've always dreamed of representing my country and that's what this is really about," said Michael Phelps, a U.S. swimmer who hopes to add to the eight medals he won in the 2004 Games. "That's what I am preparing myself for."

Most of the athletes said they weren't opposed to the protests, which have disrupted the Olympic torch relay as it has made its way through several major cities en route to Beijing, site of the Summer Games in August.

Some voiced annoyance at the intrusion of politics. "We don't like to see protesters getting in the way of sending our athletes to Beijing with a positive feeling and to win some medals," said Lindsey Durlacher, a Greco-Roman wrestler.

Heather O'Reilly, a member of the U.S. women's soccer team, said she was "a little disappointed" by the recent protests around the torch relay. "The symbols and history of the Games need to be preserved," she said.

Several athletes said that to expect them to perform at a high level while also getting involved in the in the unfolding political drama was to expect too much.

"That's a lot of responsibility, to win a gold medal and also to have a political view," said Abby Wambach, a member of the U.S. women's soccer team.

The event was organized by the U.S. Olympic Committee to introduce athletes to the media.

One athlete said he was worried about talk about a boycott of opening ceremonies. "It kinda bums me out because it's my first Olympics and maybe my only Olympics and I might not be able to go to the opening ceremonies," said beach-volleyball player Phil Dalhausser......