2022 Winter Olympics: United States diplomatic boycott explained

The United States has announced a “diplomatic boycott” of the 2022 Winter Olympics. What does that really mean? Who is impacted?

On Monday, Dec. 6, citing concerns about human rights abuses, the White House announced it would partake in a diplomatic protest for the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics. During a White House press briefing, Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, confirmed that the United States would stage the protest.

Psaki confirmed the United States would not send a “diplomatic or official representation” to the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in Beijing during her briefing. According to Psaki, the Biden administration made the decision for the boycott due to “genocide and crimes against humanity” along with “other human rights abuses.”

With this decision, there won’t be any diplomats representing the United States in Beijing during the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

United States won’t send diplomatic, official representation to 2022 Winter Olympics

What does this mean for the athletes representing the United States?

Well, they’re still set to go. According to Psaki, the athletes who will be in Beijing to compete will be supported and cheered on.

“The athletes on Team USA have our full support.  We will be behind them 100 percent as we cheer them on from home.  We will not be contributing to the fanfare of the Games,” Psaki said when discussing the matter on Dec. 6.

The American athletes will be at the games. It doesn’t look like they’ll be out as this particular boycott only involves diplomats, government officials, and leaders for the United States.

2022 Winter Olympics: China responds to United States diplomatic boycott

After the United States announced its boycott, China subsequently responded to the matter. According to the Associated Press, China said the United States was “violating the Olympic spirit” with its boycott.

The Associated Press reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the United States decided to go through with the diplomatic boycott as it follows “ideological prejudice and based on lies and rumors.”

According to the Associated Press, Lijian said “the U.S. will pay a price for its practices.” Lijian also said to “stay tuned for follow-ups” on how China will respond further to the boycott.

United States among nations in diplomatic boycott of 2022 Winter Olympics

There are other nations who have joined in on the diplomatic boycott to some extent. According to Newsweek, the list of nations who are involved in the protest includes the following:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Estonia
• Japan
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• New Zealand
• Scotland
• United Kingdom
• United States