Neo-Nazi boyfriend causes problems for German athlete.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There is a huge difference between "ties" and "subscribing too".

Indeed. And it appears that both applies to her.

"...reports that her boyfriend is a Neo-Nazi and that she herself sympathizes with far-right extremism."

These far right fcukers in Germany are real tools. Murderers and all. Anyone near these bastards should not ever be representing the country.

[Darnell 8,478]

I think that there is broad consensus in Germany that someone with ties and subscribing to Neo-Nazi idiocy is not fit to represent the country in the Olympic games. That's really all that matters.

Yup <EOM>

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think the question that needs asking is that if Nazi Germany were around today would their athletes be competing in the Olympic Games?

The IOC is very confused on this issue in my view - they awarded the 2008 games to China, a Communist dictatorship with a pretty poor human rights record. Similarly North Korea is in competition at London 2012. Is there a similar focus on the political views of those athletes, or is it accepted that they represent reprehensible regimes that at least some of those athletes might be in support of.

I agree that you probably don't want people associated with violent extremism representing the country at a major event - but surely the IOC needs to be a bit clearer on what the 'Olympic Spirit' actually means.

[Danno 1,228]

Indeed. And it appears that both applies to her.

"...reports that her boyfriend is a Neo-Nazi and that she herself sympathizes with far-right extremism."

These far right fcukers in Germany are real tools. Murderers and all. Anyone near these bastards should not ever be representing the country.

You know better than me about what these descriptions mean in Germany but it has been my observation in this country and others that these titles are too often based in politics,

for example "official hate groups" now

include mainstream Christian organizations which simply stand on principles which the whole of Western civilization have promoted for centuries.....meanwhile how many Anarchist groups do you see on these lists even though they call for violence and take to the streets destroying and burning any target they see as RICH?

SO this is why I would rather blame people for what they do than some arbitrary title put on them.

[Pooky 3,786]

Hitler and Nazism were evil.

Stalin and his brand of paranoid Communism killed more people, especially his own people.

Mao And the Chinese Communists make both Hitler and Stalin look like boy scouts in the mass murder stakes.

Is there a double standard at play here? Sure there is.

Is life fair? Heck, no!

The German rower has left, so life can go back to what passes for " normal". Who cares if this is fair, or not? Likely, not many. Too bad, so sad.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You know better than me about what these descriptions mean in Germany but it has been my observation in this country and others that these titles are too often based in politics,

I do and they're not. Neo-Nazis in Germany are the folks that beat homeless people, foreigners and whoever happens to be their target du jour anywhere from to a pulp to death. There was an incident I remember where they pushed a foreigner out of a moving train - killing him - just because the man happened to be black. These guys are criminals. Useless, bottom of the barrel scum with no concept of dignity, no respect for life and an absolute inability to behave like civilized people. It ain't politics. These folks are a fcuking embarrassment to the country. They're the kind of people where I sometimes wonder whether there could be reasonable justifications to maintain gulags.

Edited August 5, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[Danno 1,228]

I do and they're not. Neo-Nazis in Germany are the folks that beat homeless people, foreigners and whoever happens to be their target du jour anywhere from to a pulp to death. There was an incident I remember where they pushed a foreigner out of a moving train - killing him - just because the man happened to be black. These guys are criminals. Useless, bottom of the barrel scum with no concept of dignity, no respect for life and an absolute inability to behave like civilized people. It ain't politics. These folks are a fcuking embarrassment to the country. They're the kind of people where I sometimes wonder whether there could be reasonable justifications to maintain gulags.

IF this is true about these folks across the board... how does this make sense?

<<< The Rostock party is represented in two state assemblies, but not in the country’s federal parliament, according to reports.>>>

Are there not any "far Right" groups which are law abiding?

Would she have to agree with the lawlessness of the groups you mentioned to sympathize with some far right POV?

[Karee 4,190]

I think the question that needs asking is that if Nazi Germany were around today would their athletes be competing in the Olympic Games?

The IOC is very confused on this issue in my view - they awarded the 2008 games to China, a Communist dictatorship with a pretty poor human rights record. Similarly North Korea is in competition at London 2012. Is there a similar focus on the political views of those athletes, or is it accepted that they represent reprehensible regimes that at least some of those athletes might be in support of.

I agree that you probably don't want people associated with violent extremism representing the country at a major event - but surely the IOC needs to be a bit clearer on what the 'Olympic Spirit' actually means.

See Sochi 2014.