Political tensions are growing in intensity against China, on the eve of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Once again, human rights leverage the protests. China is allegedly committing abuses against the Uighur Muslim population in the Xinjiang region.
As the Olympics are a powerful world showcase and the risks of the Covid-19 pandemic seem to be under control, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the Chinese organizers are listening to possible demonstrations during the competitions. The focus is on the athletes, who have access to the media in general and their statements gain repercussion.
Chinese organizers have already warned that foreign athletes could face punishment for speech that violates Chinese law, especially on political issues. China’s position is generally in line with the IOC’s Rule 50 against political protests at the Games.
The issue is that part of the athletes is increasingly aware of human rights. This involvement is growing, stimulated by social media and the globalization of information.
That said, how to control an athlete’s emotion during an event in which he has achieved an achievement he has waited for four years or more, and spent all his time under sacrifice in training, food and social gatherings in general? The competitor’s emotional picture is quite sensitive.
Whether China’s rules are in line with those of the IOC, some points remain subjective. How to parse a statement? It can have different interpretations, meanings. It could be against China, but it could be against other countries or against the athlete’s own country.
In addition, the typifications and extensions of penalties for convictions were not made explicit. It seems that the customer’s face will determine the limits of punishment. The Chinese organizers still have a lot to explain. Chinese laws are very vague about crimes involving political demonstrations and human rights.
I asked the COB (Olympic Committee of Brazil) for a direct overview of the issues in focus. The entity’s press office responded with the following four paragraphs.
“The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) believes that freedom of expression is a universal right. The COB follows and guides its athletes and members of the delegation with all the recommendations of the Olympic Charter.
Rule 50, redesigned by athletes before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, aims to protect the neutrality of sport and the Olympic Games, guaranteeing athletes’ right to expression and preserving the field of play and the podium of political, religious or that may embarrass or harm others involved in the event.
As in the last Missions, all Beijing 2022 participants had to take the Anti-Racist Sport and Education and Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Sport Courses. The duties and rights of all those involved must be maintained, as well as respect for the Olympic Values.
The role of the Brazilian Olympic Committee is to organize the Brazilian delegation and work to provide the best possible conditions for athletes to carry out their work. For this reason, the first members of the COB delegation have already landed in China to organize the entry of athletes into the villages. In total, there are 11 athletes and 30 officials.”
Human rights are broad, have several biases, and social entities rightly claim strongly against violations. As always in scenarios of major international sports events, countries accused of human rights violations defend themselves vehemently, claiming not to commit any of the crimes attributed to them, but preventing the free flow of information and access to the places of friction.
The noise grows, increasing the controversy in international relations. The United States outlined a threatening uprising against China and the Games, taking advantage of the visibility of the Winter Olympics. They were joined by Britain and Australia from the very beginning, giving the impression that they would draw many countries into a massive protest.
The movement did not progress as its supporters had hoped. Perhaps it lacked force, as it was restricted to a diplomatic battle like so many others that always occur in different sectors. It gives the impression of something false, taking advantage of the repercussion of a sporting moment, of peace, with the support of countless countries.
Manifestations of this nature are situations in which countries for or against the protests take the opportunity to take advantage of the clash.
With the approach of the Games, the protest gains strength again, but the event will not be empty. Protestant countries released their athletes to compete. The official ceremonies will not be attended by diplomatic representatives of the countries that support the movement. For now, that’s the boycott.
Human Rights Watch, the world’s human rights organization, recommends that competitors who go to Beijing avoid touching on controversial topics so as not to receive reprisals from China.
The Olympics have already gone through heavier moments, such as the boycotts of Moscow-1980, led by the United States, and the response of the then Soviet Union with the absence of Los Angeles-1984. Those actions embezzled the events of countless stars. The contestants had the support of partners. Neither side won, all lost.
In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics. Will China seize the opportunity and pay back the Americans?
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