An official newspaper accused Washington of “inciting” athletes to “create disturbances” during the Beijing Games (February 4-20), in particular by paying them, an accusation firmly denied on Saturday by the American embassy.
In a context of a “diplomatic boycott” of the Games by the United States in the name of protecting the Uyghurs, the article in the English-language daily China Daily is based on “knowledgeable sources“who intend to denounce a”conspiracy“. From “anti-chinese forces“on American soil”encourage athletes“from several countries”to express their dissatisfaction with China, to adopt a passive attitude during competitions or even to refuse to participateat the Games, says the newspaper. In return, Washington their “will provide compensation“, denounce these sources who accuse the United States of wanting “create disruption during the Games in order to politicize the event“.
Read alsoBeijing Winter Olympics: Covid-19, diplomatic boycott … The secrets of IOC President Thomas Bach
The American authorities have strongly denied these accusations. “We have not coordinated and we do not coordinate any global campaign in relation to participation in the Olympics“Said a spokesman for the US Embassy in Beijing in an email to AFP. “American athletes have the right to express themselves freely, in accordance with the spirit and the charter of the Olympic Games, which include the promotion of human rights“, Continued this spokesperson. In the name of human rights violations in China, particularly against the Muslim Uyghur minority, the United States convinced some Western allies, including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, to carry out a “diplomatic boycottof the 2022 Olympics.
Read alsoOlympics 2022: the “sanitary bubble” set up around the Beijing sites
These countries will not send any officials to Beijing to attend Friday’s opening ceremony. Their athletes, on the other hand, will participate well in competitions. With this article from the China Daily, Beijing seeks to “divert attention” public “of its scandalous human rights record“, further estimated the embassy of the United States. “We expect (China) to ensure the safety and well-being of our athletes – and all athletes – participating in the Beijing Games and to respect their human rights and fundamental freedoms.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had already urged the United States on Thursday to “stop disturbing» the Beijing Olympics, during a phone call with his American counterpart Antony Blinken.