In "Section from President Carter's Speech/A Former Olympian's View," both authors agree that participating in the Moscow Olympics is a meaningful gesture between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Question

How do the two authors interpret this fact differently?

Section from President Carter's Speech/A Former Olympian's View

Responses

President Carter views participating as an approval of the Soviet Union's military action. Philip Shinnick views participating as a gesture of goodwill between ordinary citizens.
President Carter views participating as an approval of the Soviet Union's military action. Philip Shinnick views participating as a gesture of goodwill between ordinary citizens.

President Carter views participating as an admission of the superiority of the Soviet Union. Philip Shinnick views participating as a chance for the United States to win.
President Carter views participating as an admission of the superiority of the Soviet Union. Philip Shinnick views participating as a chance for the United States to win.

President Carter views participating as standing by other Western allies. Philip Shinnick views participating as leaving behind those countries that choose to go.
President Carter views participating as standing by other Western allies. Philip Shinnick views participating as leaving behind those countries that choose to go.

President Carter views participating as a chance to make peace between the two nations. Philip Shinnick views participating as a way to show the Soviets that the United States is better.

Answer 1

The two authors interpret the significance of participating in the Moscow Olympics differently. President Carter sees participating in the Olympics as an implicit approval of the Soviet Union's military actions, suggesting that it undermines the stance of the U.S. against Soviet aggression. In contrast, Philip Shinnick views participation as a gesture of goodwill between ordinary citizens, emphasizing the unifying power of sports and international competition regardless of political tensions.

In summary, President Carter is concerned about the political implications of participation in the Olympics, while Philip Shinnick focuses on the potential for goodwill and connection among individuals.