The Olympics are not just a sporting event. Underlying the even are non-negligible political dynamics as old as the game. For example, the United States (US) will not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, citing genocide in the Xinjian Province among other human rights abuses. But there is more behind this decision. This article published by BNN Bloomberg is written by Ella Ceron, Bloomberg News. Here is an excerpt:

The U.S. announced the latest in a longstanding tradition of political boycotts at the Olympics when White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said U.S. diplomats would not attend the 2022 winter games in Beijing next year.

The decision, Psaki said, came due to concerns about “the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human-rights abuses.” Athletes representing the U.S. are still allowed to compete on the international stage. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a press conference that the move by the U.S. had both offended China’s people and was done prematurely: China has yet to formally invite U.S. politicians to attend the games.

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