Call for boycott is against Olympic values

While the world is still fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, which will convey a message of hope, courage, peace and unity to the world, has entered the final stage of preparations.

But a few Western politicians have called for a diplomatic boycott of the Games, which violates the Olympic values and contradicts what the Olympic Movement stands for. Bringing together athletes from all over the world, the Olympic Games aspire to contribute to a peaceful future for mankind through sport. Peace and friendship are the inherent features of the Olympic Movement.

Over the past more than 100 years since the birth of the modern Olympics, the basic principles and core values of the Olympic Games have remained unchanged despite amendments to the Olympic Charter, which indicates the goal of the Games is to promote a peaceful global society.

The Olympic Charter further states that sports organizations within the Olympic Movement should apply political neutrality, and oppose the misuse of sports and athletes for any political or commercial purposes. That is why the diplomatic boycott that some Western politicians have called for is being denounced by people who love the Olympic Movement and what it stands for.

It has been proved that sports is an effective tool to promote peaceful development. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developments has also recognized the contribution of sport, saying "Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development. We recognize the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect."

"Sport is ready to contribute to building a more human-centered and inclusive society," said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on April 6, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. "This crisis has made it clearer than ever that sport is the low-cost, high-impact tool par excellence for all countries in their recovery efforts."

More than ever, the world needs solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger" was revised for the first time in more than 120 years in July this year, with the inclusion of "Together" to recognize the importance of solidarity. It clearly resonates with the Beijing 2022 organizers as "Together for a Shared Future" was chosen as the official motto for the event.

With the world still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the two mottoes speak volumes for the determination and courage of people around the world to work together to overcome difficulties and pursue their dreams and hopes. The so-called diplomatic boycott runs counter to these efforts and aspirations.

- XINHUA NEWS AGENCY