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On Sunday morning, ESPN ran a substantial feature on the progression of Team USA's stated role in drawing attention to Darfur as it makes its way to China for the Olympics. Over the past year, players including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have spoken (to different degrees) about the Sudanese genocide, and the indication has been that some sort of awareness campaign might coincide with the team's bid for gold. As the ESPN segment made clear -- and you can see it below -- this will not be the case.
In May, LeBron said he's ready to speak out after learning more about China's human rights record. In June, after USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo tells the team to keep quiet about "politics," LeBron says he'll be focusing on basketball. I understand the need for focus, and that the Olympic men's basketball tournament will be a challenge itself. But ... what?
Dave Zirin had a provocative piece in The Nation two summers ago (discussed at FreeDarko here) on the odd tact noted Republicans Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski took in pushing a political agenda in Team USA auditions and practices. As a part of the political push, Sen. John McCain (a benefactor of Colangelo's contributory largess) spoke to the team.
Darfur isn't exactly a blue-red issue. But it has received more attention from the left than the right. (Proof positive: President Bush's goodwill tour through China this week, while other nations will boycott the Beijing opening ceremony as a statement against China's Darfur involvement.) We don't know exactly what Colangelo said in his talk with Team USA, or how involved Coach K became. But the odd shift in the stance of LeBron and Kobe immediately following the session raises more red flags than we'll see over Beijing this weekend.
USA Basketball should not be in the business of keeping its players quiet. That's not what America is about.
The Political Defanging of Team USA
Aug 4, 2008 – 2:10 PM
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