Olympic boycott - seemed like a good idea at the time!

As a sports fan the hardest thing I’m ever likely to do is to boycott the viewing of the Beijing Olympics.

Some time ago I pledged to do just that, by way of protest at the nation’s disgraceful human rights record.

Four days from the opening ceremony and I am decidedly twitchy.

Will I be like one of those Jehovah’s Witnesses who profess to never watch television but always seem to know what is going on in the media?

I suppose I could read the reports in the newspapers (I wonder if watching the highlights programmes is out of the question!).

Joking apart, this really is a very difficult situation for me. I’m a writer after all and am expected to be well-versed in sporting knowledge, not least because I intend to update my A to Z of Sport for future publication. Is it possible for me to gain an overview without first-hand knowledge of what actually went on? Will my account of the Games be jeopardised by ignorance?

To say I was looking forward to seeing if our cyclists, rowers and sailors can dominate the world, is something of an understatement. Before my conscience was pricked into submission I was positively salivating at the thought of Paula Radcliffe at last being hailed as the queen of the marathon. Mind you I have to say I rather feel the excuses are coming in thick and fast before the race and stress fractures, spiders, smog and goodness knows what else will surely prevent the greatest distance runner of all time from ending her career on a high. Please don’t expect a fairytale-ending to this one. In a way I’m glad I will not be watching the women’s marathon.

Anyway, I shall be trying my best not to succumb. A friend of mine will be in Hungary doing God’s work and how I wish I were there too. It would be so much easier than having temptation at my fingertips.

Do I think my silent protest will change anything? Nooooooooooo but I do know that this will be good practice for me for any difficult decisions I may have to make in the future, and who knows what will happen in China. There is an ever-growing underground Christian community with considerable influence and the same leader as we have in the west. Anything is possible!

On reflection perhaps it will not be too difficult for me. Perhaps I’ll re-read The Good Earth, a reminder of the humility and manners of a large proportion of the Chinese people.