BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS
- February 4, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS
TOPIC: International Relations
Context- India has announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Concept-
- Other countries which announced boycott include the USA , United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
What is a diplomatic boycott?
- It simply means these countries will not send official government delegations to Beijing during the Games.
- These officials are often labeled as the ‘VIP visitors’.
Does a diplomatic boycott affect athletes’ participation?
- It doesn’t. A diplomatic boycott is a token protest that has no impact on the sporting spectacle.
- However the Olympics are now are a billion-dollar enterprise and a complete boycott could cost athletes, broadcasters and the organisers a fortune.
Why have the Beijing Winter Games been so controversial?
- In India’s case, the boycott was announced after a Chinese soldier involved in the Galwan incident was made an Olympic torchbearer.
- The Western countries, led by the US, made the diplomatic snub over China’s alleged treatment of the Uyghur Muslims and human rights issues.
- Some countries like Austria, New Zealand, Slovenia, Sweden and the Netherlands have cited pandemic-related risks for not sending government officials.