The ‘genocide games’ begin with a ceremony proclaiming that they will be held on Xi Jinping’s terms
Such was the bewitching beauty of the ceremony that opened these XXIVth Winter Games in Beijing, it almost performed a trick on the mind. But as this two-hour show reached its spectacular denouement, and two young athletes bounded forward to light the Olympic flame, there proved to be a sharp sting in the tail. One of those performing the symbolic act was the Chinese cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, who is of Uyghur heritage.
That, to put it mildly, was a highly provocative act. Human rights organisations have branded these Olympics “the genocide games”, and accused China of holding a million Uyghurs against their will in re-education centres. China’s response told those groups it didn’t care, and these Games would be held on its terms.
Written by Sean Ingle at the Bird’s Nest
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/04/china-opens-winter-olympics-with-peace-doves-and-a-mighty-provocation under the title “China opens Winter Olympics with peace doves and a mighty provocation”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
