Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced Monday that the U.S. government will be officially boycotting the 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing due to allegations of crimes against humanity and genocide.
According to CNN, Psaki held a press conference where she told reporters the U.S. will be issuing a diplomatic boycott on the event. She said the American athletes have full support of the country and government, but this boycott ran far deeper. She said the U.S. will not be pressuring its allies to follow suit, but they have also been notified of the decision.
“The Biden Administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics games given the PRC's ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang," Psaki said in the press briefing Monday, Dec. 6.
According to the CNN report, U.S. athletes will be allowed to compete but there will not be an official U.S. delegation being sent. This will also apply to the Paralympic Games that are scheduled to take place in Beijing.
Globe Banner recently reported on the mistreatment of Uyghurs in China that were rampant in the renewable energy industry. It is estimated that Uyghur forced labor is responsible for 45% of the world’s solar-grade polysilicon, which 95% of solar modules require. There have not only been reports of “labor transfer programs,” but the report noted there has been evidence of torture, forced sterilization and forced marriages between Uyghurs and non-Uyghurs.
CNN reported that this idea of a boycott has been circulating since last month where Biden told reporters he was working with both Democrats and Republicans to gain support.
Psaki added that the athletes making up Team USA have the administration’s “full support.”