The Olympics are one of the most visible, long-standing, global traditions that I can think of. Their roots are in ancient history, and yet somehow the global community has managed to maintain the excitement and goodwill surrounding them into present day.

Personally, I love the Olympics. It's a great way for people to come together on a global scale, and the constant excitement surrounding those 2 weeks of athleticism is infectious. The opening and closing ceremonies are always magnificent, and rooting for my favorite figure skater or gymnast is something I've done since youth. The Olympic torch is another facsinating part of the Olympics. The idea of people from all over the world gathering in their own communities to share a glimpse of a flame which represents this idea of the Olympic dream is a beautiful notion.

But with the summer Olympics coming up in Beijing a lot of people haven't seen the torch flame as a symbol of a dream, instead as a representation of China's spotty human rights record. So WHO's Olympic dream is the torch representing now as it is carried around the world? WHAT is the Olympic dream, really? Is there an Olympic dream right now in China (or Tibet)?

The torch relay has prompted a fair amount of protests from people who are upset with China's human rights track record in Tibet. Newer concerns about China's close ties with the oppressive governments of Burma and Sudan give pause to the idea of the Olympic dream thriving in an atmosphere where governmental human rights abuses seem far too common.

Recent news reports from around the world have shown a mixed image of what type reaction the torch relay has been getting. A recent CNN article said that there were two protestors during the Malaysian leg of the relay surrounded hundreds of pro-China students and supporters. Other reports have shown other parts of the relay with hundreds of pro-Tibet protestors. There have been calls for boycotts and protests during the Olympic ceremonies.

So is the Olympic dream alive in the flame of that torch? Are the Olympics the most effective place to protest human rights abuses? Do protests take away from the message of unity and goodwill of the Olympics? Or are these protests more in line with the spirit of the Olympics than any other ceremonial gesture?