Runner’s boycott raises issue of sports versus politics
THURSDAY MORNING EDITORIAL — Long-distance runner Ryan Day has taken an awfully big step in his personal boycott of the upcoming Kamloops Marathon.
Day, who won the marathon in both of the past two years, objects to sponsorship of the event by KGHM International, which wants to build the Ajax mine.
Ryan Day. (TRU)
Last year, Day wore a shirt with the word Ajax and a cross through it. He was asked not to do it again. He decided not to participate at all.
Day is one of Canada’s top marathoners, so his protest is getting some attention. But boycotting the event is a two-edged sword.
On the one hand, maybe it will make the organizers think twice about who they get for sponsors. TRU’s Christopher Seguin says, on the other hand, that since it’s about raising funds to help students, support is welcomed from everywhere.
Opponents of Ajax will find some comfort in Day’s decision. They’re irked by the fact KGHM sponsors so many community causes and events because they believe the company is using its wallet to, as Day puts it, “buy social licence.”
But there’s a much broader principle in play, and that’s whether sports events should be used to promote political or social views. The prime example is the Olympics, which are frequently threatened with boycotts — and, sometimes, actually boycotted — by athletes or entire teams in protest of some political action or stand by the host nation.
On the one hand, sports purists say such events are meant to foster athletic excellence and goodwill and shouldn’t be used for other purposes.
But those who feel strongly about certain issues say it’s legitimate to use any forum available to get the message across.
It’s one of those philosophical questions that can be argued forever. Ryan Day’s personal protest isn’t likely to affect the Ajax project or the marathon, but he’s exercising his right to express his opinion through his actions.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
I don’t see a right or wrong here. He is exercising his right not to run (and be vocal about it) which he has every right to do, and and TRU needs to look to the community for sponsorship money and they have every right to do that.
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Yes, running with an anti-Ajax shirt is political contamination of what should be a neutral sporting event. However, anytime one sees KGHM appearing anywhere, it’s just as infuriating to the people who are in opposition. As far as I’m concerned, those initials have become a political statement in itself. And they can be seen in some pretty visible public places, e.g. our airport. Officially TRU has remained neutral in regards to the mine, and I think they should remain so out of respect to their employees. But apparently they made an exception when organizing the marathon. Ideally, out of respect to tax-payers, any public institution which is funded by tax dollars should keep its distance from the mine issue. For me, this means not accepting any money or donations of any kind from KGHM. If we want a sporting event that is truly politically neutral, then sensitivity has to be shown to both parties both pro and con.
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Unfortunately this is not an exception. The TRU Alumni awards have been sponsored by KGHM in the past as well.
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Fine. Don’t run then.
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Should sporting and community events be used by corporate entities to foster brand recognition, good will and project the impression of social responsibility while drowning out constructive criticism and critical analysis of the corporation’s actual behaviour and practices?
Mr. Day clearly isn’t willing to separate his athletic excellence from his personal convictions…..and he shouldn’t be expected to either.
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