All news of this wonderful sporting event, however, is shrouded in global issues and protest opportunities that such a world stage produces.

I'm starting to think that China was the worst place to host the Games given the global problems they're involved in which now look like ruining the very essence of the Olympics.

It's inevitable and essential that the Olympics create an advertisement placard for sponsorships and commercialism to bring revenue for the games and for the future of sport.

But should political protests, boycotts and statements regarding political issues on the other side of the world be allowed to go ahead?

Despite being massively interested in the Olympics this year, I cannot think of one positive thing to come out of Beijing thus far, due mostly to the sphere of influence that China has over the rest of the world and their inability to use it effectively.

Pollution, smog, Zimbabwe, Darfur and Tibet are the first five things that spring to mind whenever I think about what should be perceived as a fantastic event.

What I should be thinking about is the Olympic dream, the uniting of many nations and human kind taking physical possibilities to new levels.

Political protests have been a part of the Olympics since the days of Tommie Smith and John Carlos' Black Power salute at the 1968 Games in Mexico.

There are those who think more sport should be used to address political issues today, but at what level does sport start and politics finish?

Should sport be used for political propaganda or should sport be a sanctuary for the pure art form of human competition where all can compete freely whilst leaving the world's troubles behind?

Sport should always be used for good and where sport can be used as a vehicle for better things then let's use it.

China must face the global issues, but should that be raised at the expense of overshadowing the true nature of the Olympics?

Consider also that in four years time the Olympic baton will be passed from China to Britain, where we will inevitably become the next major sporting stage of protest.

So what kind of home truths are we in for when it's our turn to be hosts? I can't think of many but then I'm sat on this side of the patriotic fence.

Maybe my vision of what the Olympics should stand for – a table for all nations to sit around – is naive and blinded in today's world.

Maybe the Olympics should become a table for the suffering minorities of the world to stand on and amplify the pressure on the oppressive powers.

To be honest, though, I can't decide one way or the other.

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Fellow Rhinos team mate Keith Senior is getting excited about an imminent sporting event in which he will fiercely compete in and it's a sport that has nothing to do with an oval ball.

The Leeds centre has got his first horseback cross-country race later this month when he will compete for the first time in a 3.5-mile jumping race.

Keith's interest in the equestrian world was expected to be short lived, but a year on from buying his first horse he has now started riding competitively.

He has secretly been training fortnightly with a show-jumping trainer and appears to be a natural.

Keith completed a practice run of the cross-country course last month with his horse Tommy and got a clear round and is now looking forward to real competition.

Tommy – show name "The Thatcher" (maybe a symbol of Keith's nationalism) is an ex-Horse of the Year top-class show horse and is very well schooled.

Keith could not jump at all when he bought him, but the two have since been teaching one another.

It's not surprising both are doing well given Keith's talents in sporting tutelage.

Being back alongside Keith in last week's game against Huddersfield was a big reminder of how influential his presence is.

His ability and experience is absolutely priceless and is awesome to work with.

The catalyst for Keith's interest was partly due to the acres of land he invested in a couple of years ago with partner Victoria, who coincidentally shares the same name as their equestrian cottage in Huddersfield.

He isn't the first rugby player to have been linked with equestrian sport, however, with Mike Tindall leading the stage in his relationship with equestrian royal and former BBC sports personality of the year Zara Phillips.

Keith may not have the bragging rights of being around the 11th in line to the throne, but could possibly be the best horse-riding rugby player in the country.

Ends