The UK does not support a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympics in China, but the country’s ministers are not planning to attend the event. This was announced on Wednesday, December 8, by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his speech in parliament.
On December 6, the White House announced its decision to stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. It was noted that this step will not affect the participation of American athletes in the Games. The reason for the decision in Washington was called “the genocide in Xinjiang and other violations of human rights.”
“We do not support a sports boycott, but ministers do not plan to attend the Winter Olympics,” Johnson said.
Earlier on Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said they respect the US decision. The representative of the organization expressed the opinion that the presence or absence of government officials and diplomats at the Games is a personal decision of each government.
Australia also announced a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics two days later. At the same time, the country’s Olympic team will take part in the Games, as planned before this decision was made.
The first deputy chairman of the international affairs committee of the lower house of parliament, Alexei Chepa, on December 8 drew attention to the fact that the Olympic Games and politics are incompatible. According to him, when political fuss is unleashed, this, of course, affects the results of athletes.