Why are the Olympics in China again?

The Big Lead found an article in the Daily Mail (London) which found that China is forcing Olympic athletes to sign a statement saying they will not speak about the political conditions of China.

Yesterday the British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that any athlete who refuses to sign the agreements will not be allowed to travel to Beijing.

Should a competitor agree to the clause but then speak their mind about China, they will be put on the next plane home.

The clause, in section 4 of the contract, simply states: “[Athletes] are not to comment on any politically sensitive issues.”

Wow, that’s bad. I don’t blame any athletes for signing the agreement — they’ve worked most of their lives to try and make it to the Olympics. But this is a terrible move by China and they should get a lot of pressure because of this, especially from countries where free speech is allowed.

Not allowing free speech is bad enough, but the Olympics being in China presents other problems as well, including air pollution and food safety.

Why are the Olympics being held in China again?

48 days ’til Opening Day

There are 48 days left until that best day of the year, MLB Opening Day.

48 is also the number of doubles Chase Utley hit last season, a career-high and 4th-best in the NL. Utley has emerged as one of the best players in baseball today — if he’s not in your fantasy baseball top-10, there’s something wrong with your rankings.

Those doubles meant that despite a drop in home runs from 2006, Utley was able to have a career high slugging percentage (.566) and OPS (.976, for an OPS+ of 145). It’s extremely rare to have a second baseman who can hit as well as Chase. And as an added bonus, he’s a Bruin.

48 days away people.