Beijing Olympic Games: US announces diplomatic boycott; IOC ‘respects’ US diplomatic absence
The Biden administration has announced a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing as no government officials will attend but athletes will still be allowed to compete.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee says it respects the US decision not to send government officials and diplomats to the Beijing Winter Games as it’s a political decision for each government.
The IOC released a statement on Monday in response to the US announcement that it will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. The US cites China’s human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and other areas.
The IOC said, “The presence of government officials and diplomats is a purely political decision for each government, which the IOC in its political neutrality fully respects.”
On the US decision to allow athletes to compete, the statement said “the Olympic Games and the participation of the athletes are beyond politics, and we welcome this.”
The global body is scheduled to hold an Executive Board meeting from Tuesday to Thursday to confirm preparations for the Beijing Games.
