Editorial | Sport and politics should be kept as far apart as possible
- It is inevitable that big sports events will be used to make political points or further certain agendas. But sport offers an opportunity to bring nations – and their peoples – together instead of driving them further apart
Sport and politics do not mix. Sadly, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep them apart.
The war in Ukraine and broader global tensions, including differences between China and the West, have created challenges for those competing in and organising international sporting events.
China raised concerns with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on May 6. Premier Li Qiang met IOC chief Thomas Bach in Beijing and stressed that China is ready to “work with the IOC to oppose the politicisation of sport”.
This was a rare public statement on the issue and the first since the Beijing Winter Olympics last year. The games were hit with a diplomatic boycott by the US and some other nations over alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang.
Beijing has strenuously denied the claims. The playing of a protest song instead of China’s national anthem at sports events involving Hong Kong and the potential use of the Taiwan flag at international events are also said to be concerns.
China supports the IOC’s decision to open a pathway for individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in events under a neutral banner as the war in Ukraine continues. This includes the Summer Olympics in Paris next year.
