Thomas Bach.Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
“In this Olympic spirit of peace, I appeal to all political authorities across the world — observe your commitment to this Olympic truth. Give peace a chance,” said Bach, 68, in Friday’s address after the Parade of Nations.
Human Rights Watch reportsthat up to a million people from the province have been sent to prisons, detention centers and “political education” camps, where they many endure long sentences, torture, hard labor and political and cultural indoctrination.
In his speech on Friday, Bach said athletes will set an important example at the Beijing Olympics, as they have in the past.
“You, the Olympics athletes, you will show how the world could look like if we all respect the same rules and each other,” the IOC president told the competitors.
China’s President Xi Jinping.Anthony Wallace - Pool/Getty Images
“The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic games given the [People’s Republic of China’s] ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses,” Psaki said at a briefing on Dec. 6.
“The athletes on team USA have our full support. We will be behind them 100 percent as we cheer them on from home,” she continued before adding, “We will not be contributing to the fanfare of the games.”
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit TeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, beginning Feb 3, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.
source: people.com
