Sports

China responds to Biden amid possible Beijing 2022 diplomatic boycott

Beijing, Nov 19 (EFE).- China said Friday that “sport cannot be politicized” because “that goes against the Olympic spirit and damages the interests of athletes,” in response to United States President Joe Biden, who said his government is mulling a Beijing winter Olympics diplomatic boycott.

“The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are a showcase for athletes from around the world. Politicizing sport goes against the Olympic spirit and the interests of athletes,” Foreign spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a Friday press conference.

He added that the alleged human rights abuses by the Chinese government in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, which is why the US would be considering boycotting the games, are nothing more than “a smear campaign.”

“China will never tolerate any country meddling in its internal affairs,” he said.

Biden said Thursday that his administration is “considering” a diplomatic boycott of the Olympic games, which would mean neither Biden nor any other US official would attend the event. EFE

jco/lds

Related Articles

Back to top button