Should Canada be going to the Beijing Olympics?

Re: Feds won't boycott Beijing Olympics — Decision up to Olympic Committee, Feb. 4; and Beijing boycott not the answer, COC says, Feb. 5

As noted in the article on the federal government deferring the decision to participate in the Olympics to the Canadian Olympic Committee, there was no deferral to the COC when Canada boycotted the games in Moscow in 1980. The Canadian government under prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau made the political decision based on the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.

It would be useful to be advised by the government of the current Prime

Minister Trudeau why the principles that informed the 1980 government decision do not apply to the current political situation. Two Canadians are being held unjustifiably and simply as a political response to Canada holding a Chinese national under a request pursuant to the extradition treaty with the U.S.

It seems reasonable that the Canadian government should consider the question of participation in the Olympics and make an informed decision aligned with Canadian principles and values.

NICOLAS ASFOURI / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES The Canadian government should say why principles that informed its decision to boycott the Olympics in 1980 do not apply now, says one letter writer.