Olympic slavery?

Re “No way that China will settle for silver,” July 8

Let’s get this straight: 6- and 7-year-olds are “plucked” from their families, spend years and years in intense training and are expected to do what they’re told without complaining -- with little or no say on whether they’d like to participate in this quest for “national glory.” Sounds like some form of slavery to me. Or, at the very least, a human rights violation.

With China’s dismal human rights record, why on Earth was it awarded an Olympic Games in the first place? You know, those Games that are held in the spirit of peace, friendship and fair play? I will be boycotting these Games.

Dan Gilkey

Montebello