"Did someone invite them?": How the diplomatic boycott of the United States will affect the Olympic Games in Beijing

"Boycott is counterproductive"

The Olympic Games in Beijing will be missed by the US representatives.

Fortunately, these are officials, not American athletes.

As the press secretary of the White House Jennifer Psaki said on the eve, the administration of President Joe Biden will not send a diplomatic or official delegation to China, since, according to Washington, the host country of the Games violates human rights.

A few hours after this announcement of its intention to refuse from attending the 2022 Olympics, New Zealand officials also announced.

True, Wellington explained their decision by the situation with the spread of the coronavirus and the resulting logistical problems.

Earlier, the possibility of boycotting the Games in one form or another was discussed in the UK, Australia and Norway, but no official statements have been made on this score yet.

The International Olympic Committee was calm about the US decision.

As stated on the official website of the organization, the presence of officials and diplomats at the Olympics is a decision of the government of each country, which the IOC respects, while maintaining neutrality.

They added that the Games and the participation of athletes in them remain out of politics.

In China, they called on the Americans to stop politicizing sports and stop attempts to undermine the holding of the Winter Olympics.

As the official representative of the PRC Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian noted, the Games in Beijing are not a stage for political shows and manipulations.

"The actions of the United States seriously violate the principle of political neutrality of physical education and sports established by the Olympic Charter ... China expresses its strong discontent and strong protest to the United States, and will also take countermeasures," the TASS diplomat quoted as saying.

In Russia, the White House announcement came as a surprise.

Thus, according to the famous journalist Vladimir Pozner, the boycott by the United States is a half-hearted and unreasonable measure.

“If the country is indeed ... violating human rights, the boycott must be complete, without the participation of athletes.

In addition, China's policy has long been known, why were the measures announced at the last moment?

In general, there is no logic, but there is some kind of incomprehensible political game, "Pozner said in an interview with Sport-Express.

As noted by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, the US decision can hardly be called a boycott, because earlier, in light of the pandemic, China agreed with the countries about the non-arrival of officials.

“The Olympics are being held in fairly tough conditions associated with pandemic restrictions.

If our memory serves us, the Chinese side, as the organizer of the Olympics, has long ago agreed with the IOC on an option when official representatives will not be invited.

Therefore, further this is a question between the Chinese organizers and the Americans.

The main thing for us is that the ideas of Olympism should be free from politics, ”said Peskov.

Three-time Olympic champion and State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina noted: “The presence of diplomats at the Olympic Games does not play any role.

It is not for them to act and fight for medals.

Anyway, are they ever invited there?

No, just your own desire. "

“The US just took advantage of the moment to show its eternal discontent.

You have to be in the spotlight.

What, for the first time such antics from them or what?

Well, yes, a provocation.

Another politicization of sports.

But that won't make the Olympics worse.

What is the point of reacting to this? ", - said Rodnina Sport24.

In turn, State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova expressed the opinion that in this way the Americans want to check who their ally is.

“The wording that I heard seemed very harsh to me.

I'm talking about an appeal to the allies: in the United States they will look at which of the presidents will come to support their team, the fighting spirit of the athletes ... The Americans want to check who their supporters are and who are not.

It can be seen that it is presented in this way, ”the Olympic champion explained in a conversation with the“ Championship ”.

Commenting on the situation, the Russian Olympic Committee wished the parties to come to a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

According to the Deputy Director General of the organization, Rodion Plitukhin, the Olympic Charter does not provide for such a way of interaction as a boycott.

“Referring to the practice of 1980 and 1984, we can state that the boycott is counterproductive, first of all, for sports and the Olympic movement.

We wish all participants to find a consensus for the benefit of the development of sports, ”the official said.

"A woman with a cart - it's easier for a mare"

At the same time, many experts in Russia are confident that a diplomatic boycott by the United States will not affect the Games themselves.

According to the honorary president of the ROC, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma, Alexander Zhukov, the competitions in Beijing will in any case become a great sports event.

“This will not affect the holding of the tournament, at least negatively - for sure.

This means that Biden and his staff will not come, just that.

The Americans are always trying to use the Olympic Games for some political purposes, which actually contradicts the very spirit of the competition, "Zhukov told Match TV.

And two-time Olympic champion Dmitry Vasiliev stated that no one would be very worried about the absence of American politicians.

“A woman with a cart makes it easier for a mare ... Games are not for politicians, but for people and athletes.

And some politicians will go there - the twenty-fifth thing.

This speaks only of their weakness, they do not know how to take a blow.

They are trying to somehow prick, puff, "punish" China, but this is a useless business ... We have already got to sports, and this indicates the level of political preparedness of the establishment - such a low level that one is even amazed, "the expert said.

According to the two-time Olympic champion and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Fetisov, the boycott will not have the desired effect, and history does not teach the United States anything.

“It is difficult for me to understand the meaning of this boycott - as a politician and an athlete.

If they are up to something - for God's sake.

There have already been many different boycotts.

There are many similar cases in history.

This did not bring any effect, except for punishing the athletes.

Does the boycott affect athletes?

Why would you?

Well, some minister didn’t come, and so what?

He didn’t come, and thank God, ”Fetisov said.

Commentator Dmitry Guberniev agrees with him.

According to the journalist, the United States is doing worse for itself in the first place.

“The

government has deprived itself of the opportunity to be at this holiday.

Seriously, I don't care.

The main thing is that American athletes will come: Susan Dunkley, Claire Egan, coaches.

It will be with great pleasure that I watch the struggle of these wonderful athletes.

Yes, a diplomatic boycott.

Less people - more oxygen.

If Biden drives around the upper cluster there, then, on the contrary, the roads will be blocked.

The main thing is that Vladimir Putin will be at the opening ceremony, he loves biathlon and will come to support our athletes, ”Guberniev said.