China urges US to ensure Olympic athletes treated fairly at future Games

Chinese sports official calls for end to ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ as US prepares for Los Angeles 2028 and 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City

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Gene Sykes, president of the US Olympic and Paralympic committee, presents Salt Lake City’s bid to host the 2034 Winter Games during a meeting in Paris on July 24. Photo: AP

Xinlu Liangin Beijing

Published: 9:00pm, 7 Aug 2024Updated: 2:52am, 8 Aug 2024

China has urged the United States to fulfil its commitments and cease “long-arm jurisdiction” practices to ensure the smooth and safe participation of athletes from all countries when it hosts future Games.

“China supports the US in hosting both the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games,” said Gao Zhidan, head of the nation’s sport administration and chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee, speaking to his US counterpart Gene Sykes in Paris on Tuesday.

“However, it is essential that the US ensures a safe and smooth competition environment for all athletes, including those from China. This requires a commitment to stopping any ‘long-arm jurisdiction’,” said Gao, according to the official China Sports News.

He emphasised the shared responsibility of both nations to maintain the principles of the Olympic Charter, defend the global anti-doping governance system, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of “clean athletes”, according to the Chinese report.

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In response, Sykes congratulated Chinese athletes on their impressive performance at the Olympics and affirmed the role of sports in promoting people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the US, the report said.