Beijing Olympic Winter Games protests & politics thread

[caseyedwards]

I'm sure you're familiar with the name Alexei Navalny? There's a reason for the poisoning attempt and that he's in jail right now and it's not because he's a great unknown or a criminal.

He’s not actually the closest rival. The closest rival are people from the far right nationalist/religious movements.

 

[manhn]

Asian hatred? Was there a diplomatic boycott in Japan?

 

[Karen-W]

Asian hatred? Was there a diplomatic boycott in Japan?

Oh, hell no. There was no diplomatic boycott in Japan. This is strictly because of China and their atrocious record on human rights and suppression of democracy.

 

[love_skate2011]

I'm sure you're familiar with the name Alexei Navalny? There's a reason for the poisoning attempt and that he's in jail right now and it's not because he's a great unknown or a criminal.

a propped up ? the same saviour who gets thrown tomatoes and eggs when he even sets foot in the caucasus
russians remember the 1990s, if thats freedom for you, good luck convincing.

but hey you had Trump and now Biden a bit a contested win (unaccounted or added votes)

 

[love_skate2011]

Oh, hell no. There was no diplomatic boycott in Japan. This is strictly because of China and their atrocious record on human rights and suppression of democracy.

hmm if Saudi Arabia was hosting the Games, would the US make a diplomatic boycott, HHAHAHA LMAO at the Fart Hypocrisy.
The US probably exports even their saw and hammer.

 

[Karen-W]

hmm if Saudi Arabia was hosting the Games, would the US make a diplomatic boycott, HHAHAHA LMAO at the Fart Hypocrisy.
The US probably exports even their saw and hammer.

Well, we'll never know the answer to that since, Saudi Arabia, like Qatar and the rest of the Middle East, won't be a host for either the Summer or Winter Olympics unless there is some serious climate change.

 

[love_skate2011]

Well, we'll never know the answer to that since, Saudi Arabia, like Qatar and the rest of the Middle East, won't be a host for either the Summer or Winter Olympics unless there is some serious climate change.

They are trying , most of the Olympic Coommitees are headed by rich Middle Eastern Emirs, the latest if you forgotten is the FINA now headed by a rich Kuwaiti member, it wont be long. Saudi Arabia is Bidens champion for democracy.

 

[Karen-W]

They are trying , most of the Olympic Coommitees are headed by rich Middle Eastern Emirs, the latest if you forgotten is the FINA now headed by a rich Kuwaiti member, it wont be long. Saudi Arabia is Bidens champion for democracy.

They can try but until they can figure out how to overcome the extreme heat of July and August in the Middle East then they're not going to be advanced to targeted dialogue much less selected as a host city. The IOC requires the SOG be held in one of those months and don't think that it will change - it didn't change for Brisbane and that bid was ushered through by Bach's right-hand man, John Coates.

 

[Vagabond]

Qatar will be hosting the World Cup next year, but I don't know whether the Biden Administration cares about soccer it in the same way that it cares about figure skating the Olympics.

 

[Sylvia]

Russia unveils Beijing Olympics kit with national colors (Dec. 10) - 20 photos included:

Russia unveils Beijing Olympics kit with national colors

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's uniform for the Beijing Winter Olympics was unveiled on Friday without Russia's name, flag or coat of arms on it — as the uniform was at the Tokyo Games. Some clothing, however, will feature Russia's national colors.

apnews.com

 

[manhn]

Qatar will be hosting the World Cup next year, but I don't know whether the Biden Administration cares about soccer it in the same way that it cares about figure skating the Olympics.

Not US related, but Tom Daley is leading a charge to boycott that World Cup due to the country’s anti-LGTBQ laws.

 

[ballettmaus]

but hey you had Trump and now Biden a bit a contested win (unaccounted or added votes)

There probably is no use but: there are no votes unaccounted for. There are no added votes. There.was.NO.fraud.

 

[skategal]

Asian hatred? Was there a diplomatic boycott in Japan?

The anti Asian boycott of the pyongchang 2018 Olympics was massive…..oh wait…..

 

[allezfred]

Fart Hypocrisy.

What’s Fart Hypocrisy?

 

[BlueRidge]

What’s Fart Hypocrisy?

I feel like I don't want to know the answer to this.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

"Fart Hypocrisy" is a well known concept best described as the situation demonstrated when a person who claims their shite doesn't stink, but, as always, their farts give them away.

 

[Frau Muller]

Putin vows to Xi that he (and Russia) will attend the opening ceremonies of Beijing 2022, in the face of US-NATO “very aggressive” rhetoric (words of Putin’s aide Peskov aka Mr Navka):

Xi tells Putin that Russia, China are better than allies, Kremlin says

Chinese President Xi Jinping described Beijing and Moscow’s relationship as better than an alliance in a video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Driving the news: The video call, the second between the two leaders in 2021, came a week after Putin and U.S. President Joe...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Sylvia]

Associated Press article today (Dec. 20):

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied saying she was sexually assaulted, despite a November social media post attributed to her that accused a former top Communist Party official of forcing her into sex.

apnews.com

Lianhe Zaobao, a Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper, posted video of Peng it says was taken Sunday in Shanghai in which she said she has been mainly staying at home in Beijing but was free to come and go as she chose.
“First of all, I want to emphasize something that is very important. I have never said that I wrote that anyone sexually assaulted me. I need to emphasize this point very clearly,” Peng told the newspaper’s reporter.
The reporter did not ask how or why the lengthy and highly detailed Nov. 2 post appeared or whether Peng’s account had been hacked.

The newspaper said it interviewed Peng at a promotional event for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games which begin Feb. 4. She was filmed on the observation deck of a facility where she watched a freestyle ski competition alongside former NBA star Yao Ming and other Chinese sports figures.

 

[Sylvia]

A couple of quotes from day one of the Beijing 2022 Team USA Media Summit (held virtually) on Monday, Oct. 18:

https://twitter.com/cbrennansports/status/1450234386415296516

Christine Brennan (predictably) asked Nathan about Peng Shuai during his pre-Nationals media call today:

https://twitter.com/cbrennansports/status/1473105568260935683

 

[Karen-W]

Christine Brennan (predictably) asked Nathan about Peng Shuai during his pre-Nationals media call today:

https://twitter.com/cbrennansports/status/1473105568260935683

For once, Twitter is, rightfully, ripping her apart for asking the question.

 

[Sylvia]

Back on Dec. 3 in Lake Louise, Mikaela Shiffrin and other Alpine skiers were asked about Peng Shuai:

Alpine skiing-Skiers concerned for Peng but will be at Beijing Olympics

The world's best women's alpine skiers, who will compete at the Beijing Winter Games, expressed concern on Friday over China's treatment of former world number one doubles tennis player Peng Shuai but will be in the start gate fighting for Olympic medals.

www.reuters.com

Italian Federica Brignone, a 16-time winner on the World Cup circuit, said the Peng situation had taken the joy away from the Feb. 4-20 Olympics while American skiers were tight-lipped.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has made it clear athletes are free to express thoughts and opinions but questions about Peng or China were clearly off limits for American skiers in Lake Louise for the season opening downhill.
Asked about the Peng situation, Mikaela Shiffrin, who is eyeing five medals in Beijing, stepped back and shook her head then added: “Sorry, call me after (the Olympics).

While most voiced support for Peng, many skiers felt it was up to sport federation officials and governments to sort the matter out and not the athletes.
“For sure we are aware of it,” said Norwegian downhiller Ragnhild Mowinckel. “The Norwegian ski federation and everybody now we take a stand against limiting freedom of speech which is important.
“But at the same time it is hard for us athletes to get involved.
“We chose to go to China, that was the decision and in that way it is what it is.
“It is troubling but at the same time you have to put the searchlight on the leaders and not us athletes.”

 

[Sylvia]

Gee, no surprise here! https://twitter.com/cbrennansports/status/1473421301364764672

Like Nathan Chen Monday, two more top U.S. figure skaters who spoke out two months ago about China’s human rights abuses — Evan Bates and Vincent Zhou — declined comment on the Peng Shuai situation when given the chance today on a U.S. Figure Skating media zoom call.

(eta: for CB, not the skaters)

 

[kwanette]

Gee, no surprise here! https://twitter.com/cbrennansports/status/1473421301364764672

And more....."I’m reminded of two very different responses by Olympic hopefuls to questions about “political” issues: Ashley Wagner continuing to speak out about Putin’s “anti-gay propaganda” law in Sochi in 2014 and Adam Rippon’s continued criticism of Mike Pence in 2018. It’s why you ask."

 

[tony]

Brennan is really irritating me. She's usually whatever but she selectively writes articles about serious issues leaving out major details and now she's desperate for another scandal or big-news maker with the US athletes that she should be letting prepare for Nationals. Some of her IG stories about 'this is how you reply to a question' or whatever she put are as well.

I know from a few of the stories that have been put out over the last year and a half that she definitely is in it for the controversy more-so than the activism or the change. She knows what she's doing but people aren't stupid.

 

[Frau Muller]

The very large northern Chinese city of Xi’an (13 mill - home of the the famous terracotta warriors sculptures) goes on lockdown. One person per household is allowed out every two days to buy basic necessities.

China orders lockdown of up to 13 million people in Xi'an

China ordered the lockdown of as many as 13 million people in neighborhoods and workplaces in the northern city of Xi'an following a spike in coronavirus cases, setting off panic buying just weeks before the country hosts the Winter Olympic Games. State media reported that city officials...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Coco]

This article deals with the Polish luger who was injured at the Beijing test event. It's not included in here, but I heard that he needed a negative test after he was injured and before he would be admitted to the hospital.

This is not really political but apparently some people want a rosy Olympic thread with happy news only, so whatever, I'll put this in here. The IOC needs to make sure the medical needs of any injured athletes or coaches will be met without red tape.

NHL should have known about Beijing’s COVID-19 rules

Is the internet out at NHL HQ? Or were they working on the theory that China has one set of rules for hockey players and a different set for everyone else?

www.theglobeandmail.com

 

[kwanette]

Brennan is really irritating me. She's usually whatever but she selectively writes articles about serious issues leaving out major details and now she's desperate for another scandal or big-news maker with the US athletes that she should be letting prepare for Nationals. Some of her IG stories about 'this is how you reply to a question' or whatever she put are as well.

I know from a few of the stories that have been put out over the last year and a half that she definitely is in it for the controversy more-so than the activism or the change. She knows what she's doing but people aren't stupid.

Well said..

 

[kwanette]

Vincent's reply.."“Thanks for the question. I have nothing to add. I’m focusing on my training.” I laughed at that one!! First cousin to "Thanks for the invite..but that is the night I polish my bowling ball.." You go, Vincent!

 

[nylynnr]

And more....."I’m reminded of two very different responses by Olympic hopefuls to questions about “political” issues: Ashley Wagner continuing to speak out about Putin’s “anti-gay propaganda” law in Sochi in 2014 and Adam Rippon’s continued criticism of Mike Pence in 2018. It’s why you ask."

I have attended countless USFS teleconferences. I cannot recall Christine asking a single question of an ice dancer re: elements, scores, music, etc. Evan Bates provided a lengthy answer the first time Christine asked him about Chinese human rights issues; yet, the other day she hammered away again, wanting him to repeat himself. Then, she sent out tweets criticizing Evan (and other skaters) for lack of substantial comment.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

I have attended countless USFS teleconferences. I cannot recall Christine asking a single question of an ice dancer re: elements, scores, music, etc. Evan Bates provided a lengthy answer the first time Christine asked him about Chinese human rights issues; yet, the other day she hammered away again, wanting him to repeat himself. Then, she sent out tweets criticizing Evan (and other skaters) for lack of substantial comment.

She is a professional colleague of yours, though, is she not?

If so, have you ever had a conversation with her of how her "approach" could be viewed as counterproductive?