China na-eyi ndị egwuregwu Olympic egwu 'ụfọdụ ntaramahụhụ' maka ikwu okwu

Political tensions are boiling ahead of the spectacle, which kicks off on February 4, given the diplomatic boycott of the Egwuregwu Olympic nke Beijing 2022 headed by the US and backed by other countries such as the UK and Australia in protest at China’s human rights abuses. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, deputy director of international relations for the Egwuregwu Olympic nke Beijing organizing committee, Yang Shu, said athletes could be hit with a cancelation of their accreditation or alternative “certain punishments” for having their voices heard on the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s conduct.

“Any expression that is in line with the Olympic spirit I’m sure will be protected,” said Yang.

“But any behavior or speech that is against the Chinese laws and regulations, are also subject to certain punishment.”

As human rights and athlete advocacy specialists warned athletes not to expect protection from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if they speak out on issues such as China’s Uighur Muslim population, American Nordic skier Noah Hoffman said that Team USA has already been telling its stars to steer clear of such topics for their own wellbeing.

“Athletes have an amazing platform and ability to speak out, to be leaders in society. And yet the team is not letting them field questions on certain issues ahead of these Games,” the 32-year-old said. “That makes me upset.”

“But my advice to athletes is to stay silent because it would threaten their own safety and that’s not a reasonable ask of athletes. They can speak out when they get back,” he added.

Meanwhile, the director general of Global Athlete, Rob Koehler, called on the IOC to confirm it will support competitors speaking out on human rights.

“It is absolutely ridiculous that we’re telling athletes to be quiet,” Koehler balked. “But the IOC has not come out proactively to indicate that it will protect them.

“Silence is complicity and that’s why we have concerns. So, we’re advising athletes not to speak up. We want them to compete, and use their voice when they get home,” he stated.