US lawmakers ask Joe Biden about steps to protect American Olympians in China
- Members of Congress express concern about ‘athletes’ physical safety from politically motivated retribution while they are in Beijing’
- Request comes after Beijing warns that athletes whose behaviour or speech goes against Chinese regulations will be subject to punishment
They called on Biden to clarify whether his administration had advised athletes about the risk of travelling to China; what plans were in place to respond to the potential detention of a US athlete; how the administration was protecting the data of athletes while in China; and whether consular services in China were adequately prepared to address any mistreatment of athletes.
02:34
Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights
The lawmakers were led by Ken Buck, Republican of Colorado, and Tom Malinowski, Democrat of New Jersey and the former head of the State Department’s democracy, human rights and labour division during Barack Obama’s administration.
Their letter also requested that the Biden administration clarify whether it has sought a commitment from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to protect athletes against actions that “undermine rights and freedoms (including of expression) explicitly outlined in Olympics regulations and charter”.
While the IOC charter forbids political expression during sporting events, competitors are allowed to express themselves prior to the start of events, during engagement with the press, and on social media.