UN Secretary-General expressed " the Olympic Games must be an instrument for peace in the world." International sports competition is an extension of rivalries among nations. Also the Olympic Games have been used to demonize certain countries. Russia remains banned over allegations of a state sponsored doping program. Other nations have athletes that have taken substances, but were never subject to a ban on competition. The tension between the US and China can be seen with the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing winter Olympics. The Olympic Games show how divided the world is becoming. While it would be ideal to use sports competition as a means of reducing tension, they encourage a dogmatic nationalism. The United Nations has not been able to make the world more peaceful. Failure to confront Israel, authorizing military force in Libya, and the conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo demonstrate its ineffectiveness. Major world powers are not subject to the same rules as other nations. Antonio Guterres' statements suggest a general lack of understanding of what leaders use international sports competition for. The UN Secretary-General will be attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. This is more of a symbolic gesture, rather than diplomatic outreach.
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