Anti-Americanism erupts in Iraq face-off (Olympic Taekwondo)

[rooboy]

Pandemonium erupted at the Faliro Olympic stadium today during the men's preliminary round of 16 taekwondo match between Steven Lopez of the US and Raid Rasheed of Iraq.

Lopez, the Sydney gold medallist in the featherweight division and one of the early favourites for gold in the under 80kg or welterweight division at Athens, was roundly booed by the crowd despite making the unusual gesture of offering his opponent a gift before the bout.

"I gave him a little t-shirt that says Property of Olympic Training Centre Taekwondo," Lopez said afterwards. "So hopefully he'll be wearing that around Iraq."

The crowd of up to 2,000 stamped its feet in thunderous unison. They booed the American whenever the small but vocal contingent of US supporters began the familiar refrain of "U-S-A, U-S-A", responding with a united chorus of "IR-AQ, IR-AQ".

There was a large Greek presence in the audience, but also significant numbers of other nationalities all of whom adopted the underdog fighter in a political statement that was impossible to mistake.

It did not do Rasheed any good. The Iraqi was soundly thrashed by the American, 0-12. His only point scored in the first round was deducted after he received three kyong-gos or warning penalties.

http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/articles/2004/08/28/1093518168924.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Chickens come home to roost!

You simply cannot bomb other countries for no reason and then be shocked when some people just might get mad about it.

The chickens are roosting now.

[Downtown Hound]

2. It was bound to happen sooner or later

I'm surprised it took this long.

[Kellanved]

3. people cheered for the underdog

So what?

Sorry, but in a any tournament the neutral spectators usually cheer for the underdog. I really don't see where this constitutes Anti-Americanism.

Also I have to wonder about giving a gift prior to the fight - sounds arrogant to me.

[nyhuskyfan]

4. Many sports exchange gifts...

In soccer, they give each other the shirts of their backs sometimes after games, which is sorta gross. It is also very common when teams travel to other counties on exhibition tours (when a US College team tours Europe, for example) that they will exchange T-shirts or little gifts before the game.

It admittedly isn't as common at the Olympics -- athletes would have to travel with an awful lot of gifts.

[Kellanved]

5. yes, a exchange

The T-Shirt swap is customary in soccer, albeit after the match. Also the pennant exchange prior to the match.

A one-sided gift can be a fine gesture, but prior to a Tek-Wan-Do fight? I'm sure he had all the best intentions, yet it sounds strange.

[0rganism]

6. That was an embarrassing match to watch, actually

Lopez totally dominated. It was a complete ass-whupping. After he was up 6-1, Lopez just bounced around letting Rasheed expose himself on a bunch of weak attacks. The Iraqi guy looked like he just wanted to get the hell out of there after the 2nd round.

Too bad politics got dragged into it.

[Maddy McCall]

7. What an INSULTING gift! "Property of..."

As if Iraqis aren't already well aware that they are occupied and "owned" by the US. :grr:

[AgadorSparticus]

8. i think it is interesting that the antiamerican sentiments did not

erupt until now--right on time for the RNC. warning: tin foil hat moment coming: i don't think the timing is coincidental. I think it is a direct smack on bush. Too bad the athletes have to endure it and not bush himself.

[sasquatch]

9. USA is now seen as Nazi Germany thanks to Bush

:cry: