The 2022 Winter Olympics is set to start on February 4th in Beijing, China. But there has been much controversy and tensions that have led many nations around the world to politically boycott these Olympics. One of these nations is the United States. 

In December 2021 the Biden Administration announced a diplomatic boycott on the Winter Olympics. This means that no U.S. government officials will be attending the Games. Other countries have followed the movement of the United States, including nations such as Canada, Britain, and Australia. 

So what exactly is the reason for this boycott? White House press secretary Jen Psaki gave the reason by stating, “the PRC’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses.”

Right now in Xinjiang China, there is an ongoing genocide on Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in that region. Uyghurs are being detained and sent to mass detentions where there are allegations of torture, force sterilization, and other human rights abuses being made in these large prison camps.

After the United States announced the diplomatic boycott, China officials were not too happy, as they angrily accused the United States of actions that “politicize sports, create divisions and provoke a confrontation”. 

“I think this boycott is necessary. China is abusing human rights and China’s actions should have consequences. But I also think the U.S. administration should be doing more to stop this genocide,” said Senior Austin Knapp.

What does this boycott mean for U.S. athletes? This diplomatic boycott does not extend to Team U.S.A., so athletes if they want to have the ability to participate and compete in the Games.

Although this boycott does not stop matters in Xinjiang, it is one step in the right direction of taking action against the crimes against humanity that are happening against the Uyghurs.