(Question about things) Short comment: Who did the US "diplomatic boycott" hurt the Beijing Winter Olympics?
China News Service, Beijing, December 8th, title: Who on earth did the US "diplomatic boycott" hurt the Beijing Winter Olympics?
China News Agency reporter An Yingzhao
The US government announced on the 6th local time that it will not send an official delegation to attend the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The news broke out and public opinion was in an uproar.
The International Olympic Committee subsequently issued a statement stating that “the participation of government officials and diplomats of a country at the Olympic Games is purely a political decision of the country’s government, and participation in the Olympic Games and athletes transcends politics.”
Observers pointed out that the so-called "diplomatic boycott" will not only have no substantial impact on the Beijing Winter Olympics, but will have at least three negative effects.
First of all, the so-called "diplomatic boycott" is a politicized manipulation of the Olympics and undermines the spirit of the international Olympics.
As the highest legal document on the Olympic movement formulated by the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Charter (Olympic Charter) has been revised many times, but the important spirit that the Olympic Games should not be politicized has always been retained, and there are many different versions of the charter. This time called for peace and a better world.
In July this year, the International Olympic Committee voted to update the Olympic motto that has been maintained for a century to "faster, higher, stronger-more united."
Against the backdrop of a century of epidemics superimposed on a century of changes, the importance of "more unity" is unprecedented.
On July 20, 2021, the 138th plenary meeting of the International Olympic Committee will be held in Tokyo. After a vote, it was agreed to add “more united” to the Olympic motto of “faster, higher and stronger” to better respond Post-epidemic era.
This is the first revision of the Olympic motto in more than 100 years.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Han Haidan
The United States is not only a sports power, but also a member of the international Olympic family. It should have been an advocate of "more unity" and a practitioner of the "Olympic Charter."
Now his words are not in line with the Olympic motto, and his actions are contrary to the provisions of the Charter, and the damage to the Olympic spirit is even more incalculable.
Second, the so-called "diplomatic boycott" will not harm the international influence of the Beijing Winter Olympics, but it will weaken the international image of the United States.
In response to the so-called "diplomatic boycott," IOC member and former IOC Vice President Pound said, "Whether this will affect China is everyone’s guess. And I would say, basically, no." At present, the preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics have entered the countdown sprint stage. The international community, including the International Olympic Committee, has highly recognized the preparations. A large number of foreign athletes are eagerly looking forward to participating in China. The gold content of this sports event will not depend on a certain country. "Boycott" and was substantively affected.
As Yi Jiandong, a well-known Olympic research expert in China, said, for a country that embraces and respects the Olympic movement, it should not boycott the Olympics in any way, and the world should abandon this behavior.
Third, the so-called "diplomatic boycott" is not only difficult to achieve, but also prone to side effects.
In the 1980 Moscow Olympics, some countries initiated a boycott on the grounds that the Soviet Union sent troops to Afghanistan; in 1984, the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries collectively boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics that year.
The lessons of history prove that boycotts and revenge not only failed to achieve their goals, but instead aroused new hatred.
In May 1984, the five-ring flag of the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Several countries led by the Soviet Union boycotted the Olympic Games in revenge for the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Photo by China News Service
The Winter Olympics is not a stage for political show and political manipulation.
U.S. politicians continue to hype “diplomatic boycotts” of the Beijing Winter Olympics without being invited. This is not only an offense to the Chinese people, but also disappointing international sports and peace-loving people.
The Chinese side has made it clear that it is strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposed to the US side, has lodged solemn representations with the US side, and will resolutely counteract it.
As Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, put it, "The unpopular political scheme of the United States is doomed to failure."
(Finish)