Global Times: It is reported that the Biden administration may announce in late November that US government officials will not attend the Beijing Winter Olympics as a way to respond to China’s human rights violations without affecting US athletes. A handful of Western countries said they were considering whether to join the US in the boycott. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The Beijing Winter Olympics is a gathering of Olympic athletes and winter sports lovers across the world, not a stage for political posturing and manipulation. A successful and splendid Games relies on the concerted efforts of the big Winter Olympics family, not on the attendance of a handful of countries’ government officials. We hope certain countries can avoid overplaying their hands. Besides, according to Olympic rules, foreign dignitaries can attend the Olympic Games at the invitation of their respective national Olympic committees.

The US and a handful of countries make an issue out of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and link their officials’ attendance with so-called human rights issues. This is in essence a smearing campaign in the name of defending human rights. Such act of politicizing sports obviously violates the Olympic Charter, especially the principle of “political neutrality” of sports, and runs counter to the new Olympic motto of “together”. This is bound to be met with firm opposition from the international community.

The preparation for the Games has entered the home stretch. The international community, including the IOC, highly recognizes the preparation work. Foreign athletes, many US athletes included, are eagerly looking forward to coming to China for the Games. We are convinced that, under the guidance of the Olympic spirit and with joint efforts of all sides, we will deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games for the world and promote the healthy development of the international sports cause.