The vast majority of the 90 countries participating in the Beijing Winter Games will not participate in a political boycott of the event. This is the conclusion of Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee. “The absolute majority sends a delegation to China,” says the German.
Countries that joined the boycott include influential sporting nations such as the United States, Australia and Great Britain. They are protesting against the continued violation of human rights in China. The sports boycott is indisputable. Athletes from the respective countries will be present in February.
“This is the most important thing,” Bach told German television. All athletes will go to Beijing. I also expect that more than eighty countries will send a diplomatic delegation. The International Olympic Committee said earlier that it would not take a position on the political issue.
“We are responsible for the Olympics,” Bach added. “Expectations that we can change a political system are exaggerated. We cannot achieve something with one event that international politics has not been able to achieve for decades. If we engage in these kinds of discussions, many countries may withdraw. Influencing the event.”
