Pot, Meet Kettle: U.S. Olympians Flying Meat to China
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.18.08
Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times
We already know that meat has a huge carbon footprint, but the United States Olympic Committee is making it worse by shipping 25,000 pounds of Tyson Foods meat to Beijing for the athletes to eat, suggesting that Chinese standards applied to meat are lower than in the USA. A caterer describes Chinese chicken: “We had it tested and it was so full of steroids that we never could have given it to athletes. They all would have tested positive.”
So instead they will eat American meat, which is chock full of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides, is barely inspected
by a dysfunctional USDA. We are certain that it is so much better. ::New York Times via ::Solve Climate
It seems that the published thinking behind this decision is primarily centered around the drug testing done at the Olympics. However, it is fairly well known that our bodies get used to what we eat, and not changing an athletes diet might ultimately help our athletes at the games. I suspect that is the 'real' reason behind it, honestly.
Regardless, I am not certain this is that big of a deal. Seems like one of those 'do not sweat the small stuff' items.
Ha! Love the title and the photo...they make this post great.
All of the politicking involved in this year's Olympics has gotten out of hand, and I think we have only seen the beginning. Between Tibet and us pointing fingers at Chinese food and environmental standards, as well as Spielberg and others boycotting the games...it's going to mar the event itself. If China is such a bad place (I'm not arguing that it isn't) why were they granted host city status in the first place?
I understand it seems ridiculous to transport that much meat to China but do you realize they get disqualified and have medals taken away for steroids? Maybe you could at least suggest an alternative, like having the USOC start their own farm complete with lifestock in China. I don't really know how viable that option is though given the time restraints.
I understand it seems ridiculous to transport that much meat to China but do you realize they get disqualified and have medals taken away for steroids? Maybe you could at least suggest an alternative, like having the USOC start their own farm complete with lifestock in China. I don't really know how viable that option is though given the time restraints.
LA: Perhaps they could at least buy grass-fed antibiotic free organic meat and ship that over; then they are not substituting one chemical for another.
There's obviously some other reason behind it, because if the steroid levels in Chinese meat are so high that eating it for a short time would cause positive steroid tests in American athletes, why wouldn't the Chinese athletes who have been eating it all along test positive too?
I dont really get the point... obviously athletes need a balanced (and yes that can (and for most does)include meat) and if theres issues with steroids in Chinese meat, obviously the athletes dont want to eat that. I admit its wasteful behavior, but its barely a droplet in the buck in the big scheme of things
For goodness sake, how many reasons more do we need to boycott this farce? First step was taken by Haile Gebrselassi, so let's follow. I can live without hours of flagwaving and marching. It's like berlin 33 all over again.