As yet another highly ranked golfer decides not to go to Rio to compete in the Olympics, the question is, why should anyone go to Rio?
I have been boycotting the Olympics for years, though I did watch some of the track and field, my favorite sport, on the internet in 2012. Why boycott? What are the Olympics, really? They are a monumental waste of time wrapped in layers of hype and propaganda. I object to so much.
First, the nationalism is reprehensible. Who cares what country produces the best runner/archer/rower? It should only matter who the best is, and not very much even then. Instead of bringing people together, the Olympics continues the tribalism that drives people apart. For every encounter between Iranian and American athletes that shows we can get along on a personal level, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people viciously rooting against rival nations' competitors and embracing ridiculous stereotypes while keeping a running tally of medals for each nation in order to justify their political and nationalist beliefs.
Second, the whole scene is a bloated mess. I understand most of these sports are so bogus no one cares about them in between the Olympics, but quit pretending anyone really cares about them during the Olympics except people sadly lacking in better things to do (granted, a group larger than it should be). The athletes are almost universally so single-minded and self-centered it takes a crack team of editors and producers hours to make anyone care for them more than any other average person working hard to get their family ahead. The "human interest" side of the broadcasts has become an industry unto itself, and it may possibly be the most annoying thing about trying to watch some of the competitions.
Third, where does all the money go? The greatest racket in sports involves getting people to volunteer to work their asses off for almost nothing while charging huge rights and ticket fees to watch them do it. Meanwhile the poobahs in the IOC must stay in presidential suites for free and walk around in tuxes while their cousins get the catering contracts. It is all so pathetic you have to keep your head in the ground to watch it in good conscience.
Fourth, it is financially untenable for the host countries. No one should have to foot the bill for this outside the IOC itself. Best case scenario is the IOC builds its own facilities somewhere easy to get to with a lot of space (Canada?) and they have the games there every four years. But no taxpayer money should be spent on events of this nature. There is no way it is going to help your city or your nation in the long run, especially now, with all the events and sports you have to find places to stage.
Fifth, and more specific to Rio, it is a serious risk to your and your family's health to go to that place. The Zika virus is bad enough, but Rio is not a safe or healthy place to compete at anything save perhaps best bikini backside as long as you stay out of the water.
Finally, do we really need an Olympics to find out who is best? Every "sport" represented has its own governing body and championships or it wouldn't be eligible for the Olympics. All that is missing from any of them is the blanket network coverage, the talking heads, the corporate sponsors, and the VIPs bathing in privilege. In short, everything that is wrong with sports is amplified (off the charts) during the Olympics, all for diversions and for nothing important at all.
So, again in 2016 I will not be watching. I hope nothing terrible happens, but there is no way things are going to go well.