Host nation’s speedskating win overshadowed by criticism for using athlete from a persecuted minority to light the Olympic flame
Glory on the track. Growing criticism off it. China ended day one of these Winter Olympics by celebrating a thrilling first gold medal, while also finding itself facing growing condemnation from human rights groups after selecting a Uyghur to light the Olympic flame.
The small number of fans in the Capital Indoor Stadium because of Covid-19 regulations certainly made themselves heard as China’s mixed relay quartet held off Italy by the width of a blade in a dramatic short-track speedskating final.
Written by Sean Ingle in Beijing
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/05/china-bags-winter-games-gold-and-a-rap-for-cynical-ploy-of-uyghur-torchbearer under the title “China bags Winter Games gold and a rap for ‘cynical ploy’ of Uyghur torchbearer”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
