Winter Olympics: IOC says Dinigeer Yilamujiang ethnicity not a factor in her being final torch-bearer at opening ceremony

International Olympic Committee says the cross-country skier, who is of Uygur descent, was not picked because of where she came from

There had been speculation that China used her to respond to accusations that it violated human rights of those in Xinjiang

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Torch bearers Dinigeer Yilamujiang (left) and Zhao Jiawen set the torch into the Olympic cauldron. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:15pm, 6 Feb 2022Updated: 3:13pm, 7 Feb 2022

Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a cross-country skier of Uygur descent representing China, was not picked as one of the two final torch-bearers at the opening ceremony of Beijing Winter Games for her ethnicity, the International Olympic Committee, has said.

Yilamujiang inserted the last torch in the Olympic cauldron on Friday, prompting some to speculate whether China was using her to respond to accusations that it violated human rights of Uygurs in “re-education camps” in Xinjiang, which China repeatedly denied.

China’s second Olympic Games opened with Western countries staging diplomatic boycotts because of concerns of China’s human rights records.

Dinigeer Yilamujiang competes during the women’s 15km skiathlon cross-country skiing competition. Photo: AP

Beijing has defended its policy in its far-west Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region as an attempt to manage ethnic tension, fight extremism and reduce poverty. Some governments and human rights groups have called this policy “genocide”, saying that Uygurs were indoctrinated, tortured and forced to work in the camps.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said Yilamujiang had the right to take part in the ceremony and that the IOC had played a part in the decision, but did not mention specifics.

“Obviously the opening ceremony is something that the organising committee put together and there’s creative input,” he said at a press conference on Saturday. “We are involved to a certain extent.

“This is an athlete who is competing here, she is competing this morning. She has every right, wherever she comes from, whatever her background, to compete … and to take part in any ceremony.”

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