The threat had been in the air for more than two weeks. It is now recorded. The United States will not send any official delegation next February to the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Joe Biden has drawn the weapon of a diplomatic boycott of the Olympic and Paralympic event, mentioned since last month by the House White.
The American decision is motivated, according to the official discourse, by “ genocide and ongoing crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. It does not explicitly refer to it, but primarily concerns the treatment reserved by the Beijing regime for the Uyghur community.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki explained to the media: “ By going to the Beijing Games, theThe American diplomatic representation would deal with these Games as if nothing had happened, despite China’s flagrant human rights violations and atrocities in Xinjiang. And we just can’t do that.”
In fact, the decision of the American administration will have no direct effect on the athletes of Team USA. The boycott is strictly diplomatic. This will not result in the absence of American officials – elected officials, embassy representatives and White House envoys – during the Games. Competitors are not concerned. They will participate in the events and will be able to parade at the opening ceremony, Friday February 4 at the Beijing Olympic Stadium.
Jen Psaki made it clear. “ The athletes of Team USA have our full support. We will be behind them 100% as we cheer them on from here. » The American team is expected to have at least 200 athletes at the Beijing Games. It promises to be one of the most important in the competition.
Unsurprisingly, the IOC was quick to react to the announcement made by Washington. The Olympic body issued a short press release, very sober in its tone and words. “ The presence of government officials and diplomats is a purely political decision for each government, which the IOC, in its political neutrality, fully respects. writes the IOC. At the same time, this announcement also clearly shows that the Olympics and the participation of athletes are beyond politics, and we welcome that. »
The body takes the opportunity to recall that the traditional Olympic truce was adopted last week in New York by the United Nations General Assembly. Its resolution calls for “ all member states to collaborate with the IOC and the IPC in their efforts to use sport as a tool for peace, dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones"
The Chinese did not take long to react to the American decision either. Their reaction remains in line with Beijing's latest positions in the face of the threat of a boycott. “ No invitation had been sent to American political leaders, insisted from Washington the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the United States. This “diplomatic boycott” comes out of nowhere. This is political manipulation and a serious distortion of the spirit of the Olympic Charter. »
Still according to the Chinese embassy in Washington, the American decision is a “ pretentious act", which will have no effect on the smooth running of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
Less than two months before the opening, the ball is now in the court of the American allies. Will they follow the path opened by Joe Biden?
Australia and Canada could quickly fall into the same camp and in turn opt for a diplomatic boycott.
New Zealand announced this Tuesday, December 7 through its Deputy Prime Minister, Grant Robertson, its decision not to send diplomatic representation to the 2022 Winter Games. But Grant Robertson made it clear: this decision is purely sanitary. It is in no way linked to the position of the Americans.
Japan, for its part, will take its time before deciding the question. But Prime Minister Fumio Kishida explained this Tuesday: the decision will be carefully considered and will strictly reflect the Japanese position. The federal government will take into account the objective of the Olympic Games, the diplomatic situation and the national interest of the country, said Fumio Kishida.
