Olympics: Let the boycotts begin

The GIST: On Monday, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would conduct a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics due to China’s ongoing human rights abuses.

What it means: A diplomatic boycott is mostly symbolic, as athletes will still compete in the Games. The boycott applies only to U.S. government officials, who customarily attend Olympic events such as the Opening Ceremony.

The reaction: China responded by promising “resolute countermeasures” against the U.S. and calling the decision a “grave travesty of the spirit of the Olympic Charter.” You know, the charter written by the corrupt International Olympic Committee. That one.

• Elsewhere, Australia joined the U.S. boycott yesterday, and the U.K. and Canada are also considering the move. Meanwhile, Italy (host of the 2026 Winter Games) announced yesterday that they would not boycott Beijing. Interessante.

What’s next: With the Games only 58 days away (yes, seriously), keep your eyes peeled for more countries to join the U.S. and Australia sooner rather than later.

• And in the meantime, as discussed on yesterday’s episode of The GIST of It, we’ll continue to support and celebrate Olympic athletes as we work to further educate ourselves on China’s mass internment of Uyghur people.