The Olympics highlight the pure strength and skill of athletes from around the world. It's just amazing. Once in *** lifetime opportunity, the global stage also provides *** prime opportunity to call attention to geopolitical and humanitarian issues. Go on the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris are no exception. Boycotts and bands at the Olympics have *** long history. Let's take *** look back. The first ever Olympic boycott took place in 1956. It was Australia's first time hosting the Netherlands Spain and Switzerland boycotted the games after the Soviet Union invaded Hungary just *** few weeks prior, Hungary competed in the Olympics. Anyway, those athletes received support from fans while Soviet athletes were booed *** water polo match up between those countries turned violent. In the end, Hungary won the match and took home the gold medal. Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon also boycotted the games. But for *** different reason that was in response to the Suez Canal crisis. British Israeli and French troops had invaded Egypt to control the waterway. Finally, the People's Republic of China did not participate in the Olympics because Taiwan was allowed to participate as *** separate country. China would not return to the games until several decades later. At the 1980 Winter Games in 1976 28 African nations boycotted the summer games in Montreal. Those African nations refused to participate alongside New Zealand, whose national rugby team defied an international sports embargo against South Africa. South Africa had been banned from the Olympics due to its racial segregation policy since the 1964 Tokyo Games, South Africa would not compete for several decades until 1992. The largest boycott in Olympic history took place at the Moscow Games in 1980. With the US leading the initiative, more than 60 nations opted out of the games. The historic boycott was in response to the game's host, the Soviet Union which had invaded Afghanistan one year prior to me, it's unconscionable for any nation to send athletes to the capital of *** nation under the aegis of the Olympics. When that nation, that host nation is actively involved in the invasion of and the subjugation of innocent people in *** *** for tat move characteristic of the Cold War. The Soviet Union retaliated when the US hosted the following Olympics in 1984. The Soviet Union along with 14 other allied states including Eastern Germany retaliated by boycotting. The most iconic protest was in 1968 at the summer Olympics in Mexico City after receiving their gold and bronze awards. American sprinters, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the air during the national anthem, the two athletes wore beads and scarves to symbolically oppose lynchings and no shoes to highlight poverty. The purpose of their protest was to bring attention to the civil rights movement in America and call for quality around the world. They were also concerned after military troops and police officers massacred 300 student protesters in Mexico City just 10 days before the games. Other African American athletes joined in solidarity with Smith and Carlos Donning Black Berets. Ultimately, their actions which were met with backlash initially helped raise awareness to the civil rights movement in America. While *** fundamental goal of the Olympic Games is to bring nations together through the collective love of athletic competition. It has been and continues to be an avenue for raising awareness to important political issues. Bye.