The Olympic Stadium, known as the bird’s nest, was only half full at the ceremony at minus 5 degrees due to the corona pandemic. Numerous high-ranking government officials, especially from the West, were also absent from the grandstand. Countries like the USA, Great Britain, Canada and Australia are diplomatically boycotting the Winter Games.
Top German politicians are missing in Beijing
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) will not travel to China either, but neither the federal government nor Japan want to speak of a boycott.
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Beijing and attended the opening. Before the start of the Olympics, he had demonstrated great unity with China’s President Xi on the Ukraine crisis and the growing tensions with the United States.
IOC President Thomas Bach emphasizes the unity
“In our fragile world, in which divisions, conflicts and distrust are constantly increasing, we are showing the world: Yes, it is possible to be bitter opponents and at the same time to live together peacefully and respectfully,” said IOC boss Thomas Bach in his speech addressed to the participants.
He did not respond to criticism of the host. Bach had repeatedly emphasized the neutrality of the International Olympic Committee beforehand, thereby avoiding clear statements on the persecution of the Uyghurs and Tibetans, the suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong or freedom of expression by China.