Berlin, Dec 16, (dpa/GNA) – The Athletes Germany grouping, rules out a sporting boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing but says, a diplomatic boycott already decided upon by several countries led by the United States could be a strong signal.
Hosts China, have been accused of human rights violations in connection with the treatment of the Uyghur people and repression in Tibet and Hong Kong, in the run-up to the February 4-20, 2022 Games.
The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain have announced a diplomatic boycott, although their athletes will be competing.
Athletes Germany vice-president, Tobias Preuss, also dismissed an athletes’ boycott, telling broadcasters ZDF on Thursday: “We are absolutely against a sporting boycott of the Games.
“As athletes, we did not have any part in the, in our opinion, irresponsible awarding of the Games to China,” he said, naming it “wrong and unfair” if such a responsibility was placed on the athletes.
That responsibility should rather be with the political side as long as it was not mere “window dressing and symbolic policies.”
Germany are yet to decide on a diplomatic boycott, and are aiming for a joint European Union decision.
“A political boycott could be a measure to stir up attention and send a signal not only to China, but also to the international sports federations to be aware of their responsibility in enforcing, observing and demanding human rights,” Preuss said.
GNA