It's concerning that some politicians from the United States,
Britain, Canada, and other countries have claimed that they would boycott
China's Winter Olympic Games because of such issues as the situation in Xinjiang
and human rights(1-5). Why don’t those political elites care about the 2022
football WorldCup? Qatar brutally trampled on the human rights of tens of
thousands of foreignworkers(6). Why didn't they show their concern for
that?Sports have been taken as a political tool. This is not only a mistake in
principle but also an issue worthy of reflection.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter tried to force the Soviet troops to withdraw
from Afghanistan by boycotting the Moscow Olympic Games. However, the Soviet
Union did not withdraw from Afghanistan(7). Instead, the Soviet Army stayed in
Afghanistan for another ten years or so. Fouryears later, the Soviet Union and
its allies took the same retaliatory action against the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic
Games(8).History has proved that boycotts will not achieve political goals.
Rather, it will only shatter the dream of the athletes who have been trained for
a lifetime. If the United States and other countries boycott Beijing's Winter
Olympic Games, China will boycott the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games out of
retaliation. It may start a vicious circle. Los Angeles will become the host of
the Olympic Games which has been boycotted twice. What is the significance of
hosting the Olympic Games in LosAngeles?
It is the spirit of the Olympic Games that athletes and spectators are
encouraged to give up prejudice. In ancient Greece, people would stop the war
before and after the Olympic Games, allowing athletes to participate in the
competition and encouraging spectators to watch the games(9). It was something
like amendatory armistice agreement. There is no war now, but the United States
attempts to lead its allies in resisting the Games, which undoubtedly undermines
the confidence of the United States to dominate the games. It’s almost
impossible for the Chinese government to change its mind even if American
athletes are not allowed to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics Games.
The Chinese government will host the Winter Olympics Games on schedule, and the
world will still greatly appreciate China. At best, the US boycott can only
result in letting other countries win more gold medals. The United States should
consider the harm this proposal will do to itself: boycotting the Winter
Olympics Games is likely to put itself in a dilemma. Many countries do not want
to choose between theUnited States and China. If the United States boycotts the
2022Beijing Winter Olympics Games, but few countries join the United States
camp, it will be very badfor the United States in that it tells the world that
the power of the United States has been weakened. If theUnited States
participates in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Games, it is undoubtedly
denying its words and deeds, then the Biden administration may become an
international laughing stock again.
It is depressing for athletes not to participate in the Olympic Games. It's
extremely selfish to deprive them of their opportunities for political reasons.
What is in the mind of Olympic athletes is not boycotting the Olympic Games, but
is how to win their opponents in the competition. The Winter Olympic Games
areheld every four years.It's the highest honor for all kinds ofwinter and ice
events. It's very satirical to let these top athletessit at home and watch
others compete in the games. Athletes have been preparing for this game for many
years. Many athletes will getold and injured. Some of them may never have a
chance again.In the end, the opportunity to participate in the most important
contest in their career will be deprived, so will the important meaning of their
life.
The whole of the world is expecting that Beijing can hold a high-level Winter
Olympics Game. There is no doubt that the top skiing, skating, and other
athletes will appear in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. This is not only a
competition between athletes but also a competition between countries. Beijing's
performance in the 2008 Olympic Games brightened the world’s eyes(10). More than
ten years later, the mysterious oriental country will show its development
in2022, which is worth our attention and analysis. Due to the prevailing
COVID-19 today, some athletes were infected in the Japanese Olympic Games, so
the world will show great concern for athletes' safety and health. China may
have to make more efforts to face the pressure from many sides. We, being
supporters of sports, are looking forwards to a successful and energetic
Olympics event.