Dec. 7 (Reuters) – The United States will not send government officials to the 2022 Winter Olympics due to human rights “atrocities” in China, the White House said on Monday, after that Beijing has threatened unspecified “countermeasures” against any diplomatic boycott.

Here are some reactions to the move:

STATEMENT OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CHINESE MISSION TO THE UN:

“The so-called” diplomatic boycott “of the United States is a self-managed political farce. The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are the gathering of all winter sports athletes and fans around the world. who should be in the spotlight The success of the Games does not depend on the presence of a handful of government representatives from the countries.

“The US government’s decision reflects its Cold War mentality. The United States just wants to politicize the sport, create divisions and provoke clashes. This approach will find no support and is doomed to fail. It will only isolate and oppose them. to the trend of the time and to the vast majority of countries and peoples of the world. “

SARAH HIRSHLAND, CEO OF THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE:

“We greatly appreciate the unwavering support of the President and his administration and we know they will cheer us on from home this winter. To compete on behalf of the United States is an honor and a privilege, and Team USA is excited and ready to do it. the proud nation. “

FORMER US SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO:

“A diplomatic boycott of the #Olympics is not enough. The CCP doesn’t care about a diplomatic boycott, because at the end of the day, they still welcome the world’s athletes. Joe Biden must stand up to the CCP. “

AMERICAN REPUBLIC SENATOR MITT ROMNEY, WHO HELD THE 2002 SALT LAKE OLYMPIC GAMES:

“A diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Games sends the right message to the CCP without punishing American athletes. Never again should the Olympics be attributed to a nation that commits genocide and so flagrantly violates the human rights of its own citizens.

SPOKESPERSON FOR THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE:

“The presence of government representatives and diplomats is a purely political decision for each government, which the IOC, in its political neutrality, fully respects. At the same time, this announcement also makes it clear that the Olympics and athlete participation are beyond politics and we welcome that. “

CANADA’S DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

“Canada remains deeply troubled by disturbing reports of human rights violations in China. We have been made aware of the United States’ decision and will continue to discuss this matter with our partners and allies.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF SPOKESPERSON NED AWARD:

“We want the private sector to be fully aware and act with full information about what is happening in Xinjiang.”

LIU XIAOMING, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF CHINA FOR KOREAN PENINSULA BUSINESS:

“The Winter Olympics are not a scene for political stance and manipulation. US politicians continue to tout a ‘diplomatic boycott’ without even being invited to the Games. This pious wish and sheer demagoguery are aimed at manipulation Politics.

“This is a serious parody of the spirit of the Olympic Charter, a blatant political provocation and a serious affront to the 1.4 billion Chinese. It will only make the Chinese people and the world clearly see the anti-Chinese nature. and the hypocrisy of American politicians. “

HU XIJIN, GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR:

“Only super narcissistic people will view their absence as a strong boycott. Most of these U.S. government officials are close contacts of Chinese-standard COVID-19 patients, more picky and pretentious. You are the people that the residents of Beijing least want to see. “

THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN FUMIO KISHIDA:

“We will be looking at issues such as the meaning of the Olympics and our diplomatic relations, and would like to make our own decision based on what is best in our national interest.”

NURY TURKEL, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:

“The Chinese government’s systematic, continuous and egregious violations of religious freedom and other human rights of Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners and many others betray the Olympic spirit. In fact, a genocidal regime should not have been granted the privilege of hosting the Olympics in the first place. “

UNITED STATES COMMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMMISSIONER JAMES W. CARR:

“By implementing a diplomatic boycott, the United States and like-minded countries are sending a strong and unequivocal message to the Chinese government: the international community condemns and does not condone its blatant policies which actively persecute religious minorities. The USCIRF urges the Chinese government to abide by the international standards it has signed and immediately stop the persecution of vulnerable religious groups. “

SIMON CHADWICK, INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST IN SPORTS INDUSTRIES AT EMLYON BUSINESS SCHOOL IN LYON, FRANCE:

“It will be a tough decision for some, especially for France, but China will also be remembered in 2028 when the Olympics are in Los Angeles, and we may well see some longer term moves. China in response to what the United States has done. “

NBC SPORTS SPEAKERS:

“We look forward to bringing the stories of the men and women of Team USA to the American public as they take on the best athletes from around the world at the Olympic Winter Games in February.”

OMER KANAT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OUIGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT:

“The Chinese government is using the 2022 Winter Games as a showcase of its global leadership. A diplomatic boycott sends a strong signal: governments refuse to give the green light to the Uyghur genocide.

AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CHRIS COONS, MEMBER OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE:

“I am happy that President Biden is placing human rights at the center of American foreign policy, and I hope other countries and corporate sponsors will consider joining this boycott to draw attention to those who stand up for free, open and inclusive societies in and around China. the world. “

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET:

“The rest of the world must now follow the lead of the United States, and the IOC must take responsibility for its horrific decision to award the Games to China in the first place.”

SOPHIE RICHARDSON, CHINA DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH:

“The diplomatic boycott announced by the Biden administration of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games is a crucial step in challenging the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkish communities. But it shouldn’t be. be the only action. The United States should now redouble its efforts with as governments anxious to investigate and chart paths to accountability for those responsible for these crimes and justice for the survivors. “

ANGELA RUGGIERO, FOUR OLYMPIAN ICE HOCKEY PLAYER:

“My first reaction was a bit of relief that it wasn’t anything more dramatic,” Ruggiero told Reuters by phone.

“You know, you work your whole life to compete and you never want politics to get in the way of that chance.”

Compiled by Karishma Singh; Editing by Sam Holmes

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.