Athletes worldwide hope to shine at Winter Olympics

Sebastian Coe, World Athletics president

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe believes a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics would only serve as "a meaningless gesture", claiming non-engagement between government officials rarely bears fruit.

"That is a meaningless gesture and a damaging gesture," Coe told BBC Radio.

"No organizing committee or National Olympic Federation, if I'm being a little blunt here, is going to miss a minister."

Geoff Lipshut, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO

For Geoff Lipshut, Australian athletes are cherishing the opportunity to compete at Beijing 2022. He is also Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

"I think going to Beijing and having that opportunity is the most important thing for each of the athletes," he told Xinhua in an interview.