Despite the difficulties of the moment for the care of the health of populations around the world, the Beijing Winter Olympics are confirmed. In China, as in many countries, community-based infections of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus are on the rise.
However, so far, there is no discussion of any possibility of postponement because of the global wave of the new coronavirus and its variants, in addition to contamination by the H3N2 flu.
The organizers, as is customary on occasions of this nature, tighten the measures to guarantee the safety of the participants and the population of the host country. The opening of the event is scheduled for the next 4th. Therefore, there are only 17 days left.
The IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced on Monday (17) that tickets will no longer be sold to the general public. The justification for this decision is the risk of the pandemic. There will be a reduced audience at the competitions. Tickets will no longer be sold, but will be distributed to a limited number of people.
The novel coronavirus was initially observed in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has spread across the world. After a tragic beginning, with contamination and deaths, the Chinese controlled the crisis.
The world was scared, as China’s population is numerous. Until the end of last year, data that have just been revealed by the Chinese government pointed to 1.4 billion inhabitants in the country.
This count, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), does not include residents and foreigners of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan living in the mainland’s 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
The attitude of the US government, accompanied by few allies, of not sending diplomatic representatives to Beijing during the Olympics is lukewarm and has nothing to do with a pandemic. It is yet another game of international politics, an attempt to ruin the image of China, accused of violating human rights.
The presence of diplomats and government leaders in major international events such as the Olympics is a reverence for the country that organizes the event, although the gesture practically does not interfere in sporting disputes. The boycott raised by the Americans does not include athletes, who will normally participate in the Olympics.
Therefore, Chinese President Xi Jinping is taking advantage of the situation to make optimistic statements about the Games, saying that they will be simplified, safe and splendid. That was the tone of his speech at the virtual session of the World Economic Forum 2022. The official motto for Beijing 2022 is “Together for a shared future,” Xi said. The motto becomes political talk when a political leader appropriates it.
The political debate does not seem to arouse much interest from the COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) and the Brazilian government, which have not made any statement about the boycott, its reasons and possible consequences. Apparently oblivious to the debate, the COB organizes Brazilian participation in Beijing and has a scheme for receiving the national team in the Chinese capital.
The team will have 11 athletes, but one of them will travel as a reserve. Therefore, the official number is 10, with the possibility of opening two more spots that are being disputed by Marina Tuono, in the monobob, and Augustinho Teixeira, in the snowboard.
.
The Beijing-2022 Olympics will be the ninth Brazilian participation in the Winter Games, started in Albertville-1992. To date, 35 Brazilian athletes, from eight sports, have already participated in the competition. The country’s record was in Sochi-2014, with 13 athletes in seven modalities.
The highlight of the delegation is Jaqueline Mourão, 46, who will break the record for participation in the Olympics. She competed in four Winter Games and three Summer Games. In the middle of last year, the versatile athlete cycled in Tokyo. In Beijing, Jaqueline will join cross-country skiing, which also has debutant Bruna Moura.
Mourão’s curriculum is spectacular and shows the athlete’s versatility. Held at the Winter Olympics in Turin-2006 (cross-country skiing), in Vancouver-2010 (cross-country skiing), in Sochi-2014 (biathlon and cross-country skiing) and in PyeongChang-2018 (cross-country skiing) . At the Summer Games, he performed in Athens-2004 (mountain biking), Beijing-2008 (cycling) and Tokyo (cycling).
A leaf has an extensive report on the profile of all the members of the Brazilian team. In addition to Mourão and Moura, complete the delegation: Manex Silva (cross country), Nicole Silveira (skeleton), Sabrina Cass (freestyle skiing), Michel Macedo (alpine skiing) and the bobsled team with Edson Bindilatti, Rafael Souza, Edson Martins, Erick Viana and Jefferson Sabino (probable reserve).
In the middle of summer in Brazil, the Beijing Olympics will show fierce disputes in their winter version. But one should not expect medals from Brazil, a tropical country, which has never been on the podium. It will be worth taking a look at the competitions at least. Athletes’ skills on ice are incredible.
.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
