The WaPo’s Josh Rogin is reporting that the Biden administration will “soon announce” a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing that start on February 4:
SCOOP: Biden administration soon to announce diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics https://t.co/TIwpIO8T65 by me @washingtonpost
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 16, 2021
According to the report, this halfsie-boycott will allow the United State to express its displeasure of China’s human rights record while not punishing athletes at the same time:
This diplomatic boycott is intended as a way to respond to the Chinese government’s human rights abuses without impacting U.S. athletes… Biden is expected to approve it before the end of the month.https://t.co/TIwpIO8T65#Beijing2022 #BoycottBeijingOlympics
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 16, 2021
Rogin reported that Nancy Pelosi was in favor of the move as well:
.@SpeakerPelosi had advocated for this diplomatic boycott. In a may hearing she said: “Honor your athletes at home. Let’s have a diplomatic boycott. … Silence on this issue is unacceptable. It enables China’s abuses.” https://t.co/TIwpIO8T65
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 16, 2021
As is Mitt Romney:
.@SenatorRomney also wrote in support of an economic and diplomatic boycott of #Beijing2022, saying, "In authoritarian states, the Olympics has more often been a tool of propaganda than a lever of reform." https://t.co/TIwpIO8T65
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 16, 2021
So, is this good enough?
.@mike_mazza: “They are trying to thread the needle. They are trying to make sure that with any actions they take, the burden doesn’t fall on athletes [and] make sure they are not too far out on a limb compared to allies and partners.” @AEIfdp https://t.co/TIwpIO8T65
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 16, 2021
We expect the answer is, “No. It is not enough”:
.@nuryturkel: “The international community must come together. We still have a lot to do to stop the Chinese government’s attempt to normalize a genocide committed in broad daylight while the world watches.” Amen. https://t.co/TIwpIO8T65
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— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 16, 2021
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