No regrets in awarding Games to China, says IOC's Pound
3 years ago

No regrets in awarding Games to China, says IOC's Pound

The Hindu  

International Olympic Committee senior member Dick Pound said he had no regrets about China being selected to host the 2022 Winter Games despite the international backlash over the country's human rights record. The United States, Canada, Britain and Australia are among the countries that recently announced a diplomatic boycott of the Feb. 4-20 Beijing Games, which China called "political posturing." READ: "In the sense of having a host country that could organize and put on an excellent Games from a Games perspective, there's absolutely nothing wrong with China," Pound told Germany's Deutschlandfunk radio. He said China's Olympic Organising Committee has agreed to allow athletes to speak freely during news conferences on issues such as the treatment of minority Muslims in China's Xinjiang region, which U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has called genocide.

China Games Country Ioc Pound  sporting  iocs  china  awarding  country  rights  political  pound  committee  regrets  read  games  olympic

History of this topic

Beijing all set for winter thrills
1 month ago

Beijing all set for winter thrills

China Daily  

A series of international winter sports events will, again, bring Beijing's Olympic venues to life with sledders, skaters, skiers and snowboarders vying for World Cup titles and Olympic ranking points. "Beijing's rich legacy in facilities and organizational expertise from the 2022 Winter Olympics has made the city more than competent to continue playing host to these international events," said Ge …

Sports should not be political games
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Sports should not be political games

China Daily  

SONG CHEN/CHINA DAILY The physical fitness of the population reflects the development level of a society or country, while sports events test the physical fitness of the people of a country. With this underlying assumption, for decades, international sports events, represented by the Olympic Games, have become the best window for superpowers to showcase their economic and social development level …

Sports should not be political games
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Sports should not be political games

China Daily  

SONG CHEN/CHINA DAILY The physical fitness of the population reflects the development level of a society or country, while sports events test the physical fitness of the people of a country. With this underlying assumption, for decades, international sports events, represented by the Olympic Games, have become the best window for superpowers to showcase their economic and social development level …

Olympics: Interplay of sports, geopolitics and diplomacy
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Olympics: Interplay of sports, geopolitics and diplomacy

Hindustan Times  

The Olympic Games are the epitome of international sporting events, representing not only the pinnacle of athletic achievement but also a complex interaction of sportsmanship, national pride, geopolitical manoeuvring, and diplomatic engagement. For example, China's significant investment in its sports programmes was evident in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where it topped the medal tally for the first time. The iconic …

Britain lobbies Olympic sponsors over IOC’s Russia stance
1 year, 9 months ago

Britain lobbies Olympic sponsors over IOC’s Russia stance

The Hindu  

The British government has written to the Olympics’ biggest sponsors urging them to pressure the International Olympic Committee over its stance of allowing athletes from Russia back into competition. “We know sport and politics in Russia and Belarus are heavily intertwined, and we are determined that the regimes in Russia and Belarus must not be allowed to use sport for …

Great Britain unlikely to boycott the Paris 2024 Olympics over Russia athletes
1 year, 10 months ago

Great Britain unlikely to boycott the Paris 2024 Olympics over Russia athletes

Daily Mail  

Team GB are unlikely to support a boycott of Paris 2024 despite the government organising a global summit to discuss plans to block the proposed inclusion of Russian athletes. The Government are convening a meeting of the world's sports ministers next Friday, with Poland's Kamil Bortniczuk saying he believed it was possible to build a 'coalition' of 40 countries - …

Nearly 40 Nations May Boycott 2024 Olympics to Make Paris Games 'Pointless'
1 year, 10 months ago

Nearly 40 Nations May Boycott 2024 Olympics to Make Paris Games 'Pointless'

News 18  

Poland’s sport and tourism minister Kamil Bortniczuk has said that nearly 40 countries could boycott the Paris Olympics to make the holding of the Games “pointless”. “Considering this I don’t think we will face tough decisions before the Olympics and, if we were to boycott the Games, the coalition we will be a part of will be broad enough to …

Australia Says It Won't Send Athletes to Asian Games in China
2 years, 7 months ago

Australia Says It Won't Send Athletes to Asian Games in China

News 18  

Australia said Sunday it will not be sending athletes to this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. IPL 2022 – FULL COVERAGE | SCHEDULE | RESULTS | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAP | POINTS TABLE The Olympic Council of Asia had invited a total of 300 athletes and 150 support staff from nations in Oceania to participate for the first …

Call on India's Asian Games participation after feedback from host nation China amid Covid crisis: Anurag Thakur
2 years, 7 months ago

Call on India's Asian Games participation after feedback from host nation China amid Covid crisis: Anurag Thakur

India Today  

India's Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday said a final call on India's Asian Games participation will be taken after understanding how well hosts China are prepared to stage the continental event. The Asian Games are all set to be held in Hangzhou from September 10 to 25 but speculation is rife that the Games are set to be postponed …

Safety first approach is big Winter Olympics winner
2 years, 9 months ago

Safety first approach is big Winter Olympics winner

China Daily  

Volunteers sanitize reporters' hands at the media center. Editor's note: In a series of reports titled "Legacies of the Games", China Daily explores changes brought to the country by the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Beijing's efforts to combat pandemic attract widespread praise The Winter Olympics flame was extinguished in Beijing on Feb 20, capping Games that will be remembered not …

Safety first approach is big Winter Olympics winner
2 years, 9 months ago

Safety first approach is big Winter Olympics winner

China Daily  

Volunteers sanitize reporters' hands at the media center. Editor's note: In a series of reports titled "Legacies of the Games", China Daily explores changes brought to the country by the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Beijing's efforts to combat pandemic attract widespread praise The Winter Olympics flame was extinguished in Beijing on Feb 20, capping Games that will be remembered not …

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 come to an end but not the atrocities against Uyhgur Muslims
2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 come to an end but not the atrocities against Uyhgur Muslims

The Independent  

China is celebrating the completion of the Beijing Winter Olympics, with Sunday night’s closing ceremony bringing an end to a controversial Games that will be remembered for a major doping scandal and extremely tight Covid restrictions limiting the movements of athletes, officials and journalists alike. The Chinese government says the detention centres are voluntary vocational training centres, and on the …

For Chinese leaders, Olympics weren’t 2022’s big-ticket item
2 years, 10 months ago

For Chinese leaders, Olympics weren’t 2022’s big-ticket item

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The just-concluded Winter Olympics weren’t China’s big event of the year — internally, at least. Glaser said that while the diplomatic boycott sent an important signal of growing concern, “more collective action by a larger community of nations is needed, and it remains to be seen whether China’s policies can be influenced on human rights.” The party congress …

Beijing Olympics Closes After Several Golden Moments and Doping Storm
2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing Olympics Closes After Several Golden Moments and Doping Storm

News 18  

The Beijing Winter Olympics have closed with IOC chief Thomas Bach hailing a smoothly run event and a “safe Games” in the midst of the Covid pandemic, but the gold medals were overshadowed by a doping controversy. The Games produced bright new stars including China’s Californian-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who won two gold medals to cement her huge popularity …

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Event closes after golden moments and doping storm
2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Event closes after golden moments and doping storm

Firstpost  

As President Xi Jinping declared the Games over and handed over to 2026 hosts Milano-Cortina, the International Olympic Committee president Bach hailed an “unforgettable Olympic experience” Beijing, China: The Beijing Winter Olympics have closed with IOC chief Thomas Bach hailing a smoothly run event and a “safe Games” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the gold medals were …

Beijing Winter Olympics turns political with Taiwan, Uyghur questions
2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing Winter Olympics turns political with Taiwan, Uyghur questions

Firstpost  

Questions about Taiwan, Xinjiang, and the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai have cropped up at press conferences at the Games, prompting Chinese officials to provide emphatic, calibrated answers Beijing: For two weeks and more, China’s stance on questions about its politics and policies has been straightforward: It’s the Olympics, and we’re not talking about these things. In the …

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Organisers hit out at Xinjiang 'lies'; claim Taiwan an 'indivisible part of China' – Firstpost
2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Organisers hit out at Xinjiang 'lies'; claim Taiwan an 'indivisible part of China' – Firstpost

Firstpost  

In the final regularly scheduled briefing before the Games close on Sunday, Yan and IOC spokesman Mark Adams were peppered with questions about Taiwan, Xinjiang and the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai. “Mark, could I just make some supplementary remarks?” Yan said, continuing: “Taiwan is an indivisible part of China and this is a well recognized international principle …

This time, Tibet stands silent as Olympics return to China
2 years, 10 months ago

This time, Tibet stands silent as Olympics return to China

Associated Press  

GARZE COUNTY, China — As a speedskating team was winning China’s first Olympic gold medal of the Beijing Games, all seemed quiet in the villages that line the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. “We’re unhappy, but we don’t dare say anything,” said the Tibetan who agreed to speak anonymously. Religious freedoms are protected by the Chinese constitution, he said, …

How Beijing residents are taking a ‘closed-loop’ Winter Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

How Beijing residents are taking a ‘closed-loop’ Winter Olympics

Al Jazeera  

Beijing residents lament the ban on overseas fans but say the Winter Games ambience is still there. He believes that while Beijing residents are still excited for the Winter Games, it is “obviously muted due to COVID and not being able to go to events or mix with fans and athletes from around the world”. The mood between the two …

India’s diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics: Relevance and significance
2 years, 10 months ago

India’s diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics: Relevance and significance

Firstpost  

By not only diplomatically boycotting but also not telecasting the event in the country, India has expressed its disapproval of Chinese behaviour in available sturdiest terms Many Western and Oriental countries had announced their diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics from 6 December 2021 onwards and India was the last country to do so a day before the opening …

Another Beijing Olympics with human rights still major issue
2 years, 10 months ago

Another Beijing Olympics with human rights still major issue

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ai helped design the famous Bird’s Nest stadium that …

At Beijing 2022, ‘woke capital’ in awkward spot on human rights
2 years, 10 months ago

At Beijing 2022, ‘woke capital’ in awkward spot on human rights

Al Jazeera  

Corporate sponsors at the Winter Games are keeping a low profile after championing social justice issues in the West. Airbnb is not the only official Olympics sponsor that appears to be downplaying its role at the Winter games – at least in English – following a diplomatic boycott by countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Estonia and …

China human rights: Beijing clamps down on dissent as Olympics heat up
2 years, 10 months ago

China human rights: Beijing clamps down on dissent as Olympics heat up

CNN  

Beijing CNN — As Winter Olympians vie for gold in Beijing, global attention has turned to events in the extensive Olympic “bubble” – a zone sealing off visiting athletes, media and participants from the rest of the host city to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “In China, people like me are called ‘domestic hostile forces’… that’s why they have to …

Life inside the Olympics bubble: Limbo between China and the world
2 years, 10 months ago

Life inside the Olympics bubble: Limbo between China and the world

LA Times  

Three rows of fencing, two guard patrols and multiple “no crossing” signs mark the ominous border between the 2022 Winter Olympics and the rest of its host city. It is a tightly scripted, surreal choreography: skiers, skaters, coaches — in carefully laid out paths — head for slopes and rinks, while outside the bubble life in Beijing hums aloofly along …

Xi flexes diplomatic muscle with Olympics outreach
2 years, 10 months ago

Xi flexes diplomatic muscle with Olympics outreach

The Hindu  

Hosting more than two dozen visiting world leaders in a banquet in Beijing on Saturday, China’s President Xi Jinping called for countries “to practice true multilateralism” and “uphold the international system centred on the United Nations”. That message was conveyed recently in more explicit terms by the country’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who in his end-of-year review of China’s foreign …

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: In Beijing, Olympic ideals coexist with authoritarian rule
2 years, 10 months ago

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: In Beijing, Olympic ideals coexist with authoritarian rule

Firstpost  

The IOC knows that Beijing has locked up hundreds of thousands of minority Uighur Muslims, those critics say, and arrested countless people who dared voice criticism of the government. The Olympic mission is clear, he said: “Always building bridges, never erecting walls.” Critics of Bach and the IOC say those ideals are nonsense, and talk of respect and bridge-building is …

Winter Olympics: Which world leaders are attending Beijing 2022?
2 years, 10 months ago

Winter Olympics: Which world leaders are attending Beijing 2022?

Al Jazeera  

A diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics has reduced the number of world leaders attending the Games. A diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics over human rights violations in China and concerns about COVID-19 have reduced the number of world leaders and foreign dignitaries attending the games. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, is appearing …

Photos: Opening ceremony of Winter Olympic Games in Beijing
2 years, 10 months ago

Photos: Opening ceremony of Winter Olympic Games in Beijing

Al Jazeera  

President Xi Jinping has declared the Beijing Winter Olympics open on Friday as China tried to turn the page on a buildup overshadowed by human rights concerns, COVID and a US-led diplomatic boycott. Fireworks exploded over the “Bird’s Nest” as the lattice-shaped stadium took centre stage, just as it did at the 2008 Games, as Beijing becomes the first city …

How Will China Handle Threats of COVID & Political Protests at Winter Olympics?
2 years, 10 months ago

How Will China Handle Threats of COVID & Political Protests at Winter Olympics?

The Quint  

How will China handle the dual threats of COVID and political protests at the Winter Olympics? David J. Phillip/AP The Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics start on Friday – the first time in history the same city has hosted both the summer and winter games. Compared to the 2008 summer games, the upcoming Winter Olympics face two major challenges: the …

Another Beijing Olympics with human rights still major issue
2 years, 10 months ago

Another Beijing Olympics with human rights still major issue

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Beijing was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics, largely under the assumption that the Games would improve civil liberties in the country. Ai helped design the famous Bird’s Nest stadium that was used in the 2008 Games — hoping it would signify a new openness — and then regretted doing so, calling it and the Olympics China’s “fake smile.” …

Winter Olympics: What you need to know about Beijing 2022
2 years, 10 months ago

Winter Olympics: What you need to know about Beijing 2022

Al Jazeera  

Beijing becomes the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games. The 2022 Winter Olympics have kicked off under a cloud of COVID restrictions, diplomatic boycotts and questions over China’s treatment of Uighurs. Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States are in a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics over China’s human rights record. “Any …

The ‘Feel Guilty Games’?: China human rights issues have forever marked the Beijing Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

The ‘Feel Guilty Games’?: China human rights issues have forever marked the Beijing Olympics

LA Times  

The rulebook for the Olympics — called the Olympic Charter — contains numerous bylaws meant to foster “political neutrality.” No protesting on the field of play, no wearing of symbols or flashing hand gestures. At the Tokyo Olympics last summer, the U.S. women’s soccer team kneeled before games and shot putter Raven Saunders crossed her arms overhead on the medals …

Dutch boycott of Winter Olympics in Beijing pointless, expert says
2 years, 10 months ago

Dutch boycott of Winter Olympics in Beijing pointless, expert says

NL Times  

The Netherlands boycotting the Winter Olympics as the White House has done is of little concern to China, China expert Frans-Paul van der Putten told NU.nl. American government representatives will stay at home while American athletes compete in the Winter Olympics in Beijing to protest China's human rights violations of the Muslim Uyghur minority and in Tibet. "The Kamer signaled …

Speak out against 'genocide games': Activists urge athletes participating in Beijing Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

Speak out against 'genocide games': Activists urge athletes participating in Beijing Olympics

Firstpost  

Over a million Uyghurs have been confined in reeducation camps in Xinjiang region of China. Activists say China is trying to whitewash this repression of Uyghurs, referred as ‘genocide’ by US, through the Games Beijing: Human rights activists issued a call to action against the Beijing Olympics on Friday, imploring athletes and sponsors to speak out against what they call …

Activists urge athletes to speak out at Beijing Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

Activists urge athletes to speak out at Beijing Olympics

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Human rights activists issued a call to action against the Beijing Olympics on Friday, imploring athletes and sponsors to speak out against what they call the “genocide games.” Speaking at an online press conference organized by the rights group Human Rights Watch, activists representing Chinese dissidents and the minority Uyghur and Tibetan populations urged international attendants to voice …

Address Russia’s ‘legitimate concerns’, China tells U.S.
2 years, 10 months ago

Address Russia’s ‘legitimate concerns’, China tells U.S.

The Hindu  

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday told his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken that Russia’s “legitimate concerns” needed to be addressed amid rising tensions over Ukraine. He said that “Russia’s legitimate security concerns should be taken seriously and addressed.” On China-U.S. relations, he said “the top priority was for the U.S. side is to stop interfering in the Beijing Winter …

China spends billions on Olympics with longer-term goal
2 years, 10 months ago

China spends billions on Olympics with longer-term goal

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The finance model for the Winter Olympics calls for the host country to spend several billion dollars, the IOC to earn a couple billion, and sports bodies to share around hundreds of millions. “It will inspire over 300 million Chinese to participate in winter sports if we win, which will contribute greatly to the development of the international …

China spends billions on Olympics with longer-term goal
2 years, 10 months ago

China spends billions on Olympics with longer-term goal

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It will inspire over 300 million Chinese to participate …

Tough trip to China ahead, Anderson sees gift of world stage
2 years, 10 months ago

Tough trip to China ahead, Anderson sees gift of world stage

Associated Press  

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — There is part of Jamie Anderson that wishes these upcoming Olympics weren’t in China. “It can feel very powerless when you read those things, because you think, ‘What can I do?’” American figure skater Timothy LeDuc said of some of the reports of abuses in China. “A lot of the athletes I’ve spoken to, no one …

Tough trip to China ahead, Anderson sees gift of world stage
2 years, 10 months ago

Tough trip to China ahead, Anderson sees gift of world stage

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It can feel very powerless when you read those …

China less worried about global criticism these Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

China less worried about global criticism these Olympics

Associated Press  

When Beijing was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee predicted the Games could improve human rights, and Chinese politicians hinted at the same. “The Chinese government knows full well that its global economic upper hand allows it to do whatever it wishes.” The IOC had few options when it awarded China the Games for the second time. …

Putin backs China over ‘politicization’ of Beijing Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

Putin backs China over ‘politicization’ of Beijing Olympics

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russia and China oppose “the politicization of sport and demonstrative boycotts” ahead of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday in an address to his country’s athletes. The U.S. is among several countries which have said they will not send politicians or other representatives to next month’s Games in a so-called diplomatic boycott, citing …

Beijing 2022 to show strength of Chinese culture and people
2 years, 11 months ago

Beijing 2022 to show strength of Chinese culture and people

China Daily  

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will show the strength of Chinese culture and people, a Cuban expert says in an interview. "In addition, the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a platform to display the high standards of the scientific and technological progress made by China over the past few decades," adds Regalado. Regalado says China will successfully protect the …

Beijing 2022 to show strength of Chinese culture and people
2 years, 11 months ago

Beijing 2022 to show strength of Chinese culture and people

China Daily  

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will show the strength of Chinese culture and people, a Cuban expert says in an interview. "In addition, the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a platform to display the high standards of the scientific and technological progress made by China over the past few decades," adds Regalado. Regalado says China will successfully protect the …

Column: ‘Games must go on’ spiel grows weaker by the day
2 years, 11 months ago

Column: ‘Games must go on’ spiel grows weaker by the day

Associated Press  

The Olympic Charter runs 112 pages and reads like something Gwyneth Paltrow would have written if she were in charge of the Games instead of Goop. With two weeks left until opening ceremonies, the sales pitch has been pared down to “the Games must go on,” because we all need a diversion right about now. Think of American sprint medalists …

Beijing 2022: Athletes warned about speaking out on human rights
2 years, 11 months ago

Beijing 2022: Athletes warned about speaking out on human rights

Al Jazeera  

Behaviour by athletes that violates the “Olympic spirit” or Chinese rules could be subject to punishment, a Beijing 2022 official said, after rights groups voiced concern about the safety of competitors if they protest at next month’s Winter Olympics. ‘Sportswashing’ Meanwhile on Wednesday, human rights group Amnesty International warned that the international community must not allow China to use the …

Olympic athletes urged by activists not to criticize China
2 years, 11 months ago

Olympic athletes urged by activists not to criticize China

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Athletes at the Beijing Olympics were urged by human rights activists Tuesday to avoid criticizing China because they could be prosecuted. The IOC has not yet publicly committed to how athletes who speak out would be protected, activists said in a briefing hosted by Human Rights Watch. “We know the human rights record and the allowance of freedom …

Beijing to offer Olympic tickets to selected spectators
2 years, 11 months ago

Beijing to offer Olympic tickets to selected spectators

India TV News  

Highlights China has largely avoided major virus outbreaks with a regimen of lockdowns, mass testing for COVID. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics which are set to begin from February 4th will permit only selected spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said Monday. Monday's announcement posted on the organizing committee's website confirmed expectations that the Winter Games would have few …

Beijing Winter Olympics: China cancels plans to sell tickets to public
2 years, 11 months ago

Beijing Winter Olympics: China cancels plans to sell tickets to public

The Hindu  

China on Monday cancelled plans to sell tickets to the public for the Winter Olympics in Beijing, allowing only invitees to view the action as part of strict virus control measures. Games organisers last year said there would be no international spectators -- partly due to the country's weeks-long quarantine requirements -- but they had promised to allow domestic audiences. …

IOC major sponsors mostly muted in runup to Beijing Olympics
2 years, 11 months ago

IOC major sponsors mostly muted in runup to Beijing Olympics

Associated Press  

The Beijing Winter Olympics are fraught with potential hazards for major sponsors, who are trying to remain quiet about China’s human rights record while protecting at least $1 billion they’ve collectively paid to the IOC. The Charter speaks of putting “sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with …

Discover Related