Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has criticized countries that have announced diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing Olympics. He is quoted by RIA Novosti.
“The boycott of the upcoming Olympics brings the world back to the realities of the Cold War,” the head of state said. He noted that today the sport of the highest achievements is poisoned by politics. According to Lukashenka, the Olympics in China, on the contrary, ensure that sport remains a sport, and athletes can compete without pressure and political intrigue.
On December 28, 2021, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko called for depriving national teams of flags for boycotting the Olympics. According to Chernyshenko, such a measure will cool hot heads.
The United States was the first to announce a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Games. Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan then joined the boycott. Also, Denmark and the Netherlands will not send diplomats to the Games.
The Beijing Olympics will be held from 4 to 20 February. Russia will compete at the Games in a neutral status due to the sanctions of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
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