The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing are underway and there are many events taking place at the games. Sports such as: Figure skating, snowboarding, skiing, ice hockey, bobsledding, and ski jumping will be featured. Olympians are here to make a change and make the year a better one after a long awaited challenge due to COVID-19. Famous olympians like Yuzuru Hanyu, Timothy LeDuc, Nathan Chen and Chloe Kim are back for another round of their designated sports.

Jessie Diggins has already made history by winning a bronze medal in skiing, which is the first sprint medal for the United States. Nathan Chen had won his personal best score, beating the world record with the highest ever short program score internationally in figure skating; he is also representing the United States. During one of Yuzuru Hanyu’s skates, there was a hole in the ice that has managed to mess up one of his vital jumps. Even though this was a major setback in allowing for Hanyu to compete for his highest score, he still persevered and pushed through to finish his part. While there have been great small victories during the games, problems with where the Olympics are taking place have never left.

While there have been great victories for the olympians, issues within the 2022 Winter Olympics are mainly due to the fact that the games are taking place in China. The Chinese government has been accused by the United States of genocide against the Uyghur community, and even though the Chinese government denies these claims, no one is able to take their word for it.

Uyghurs are an ethnic Muslim minority who are mainly located in the Xinjiang province. There are around 13 million Uyghurs said to be living in China.

To start off the games, two Chinese skiers, Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Zhao Jiawen lit the Olympic flame. This has already begun controversy within the event as Yilamujiang is part of the Uyghur community. Someone who represents the country is picked to light up the torch, and it is an amazing honor to be able to do so. However, people don’t understand why Yilamujiang has lit up the torch after what China has been accused of. Is this another way of the Chinese government trying to make the world believe they don’t violate human rights against the Uyghurs? 

The U.S.—including President Biden, and its allies have boycotted the Olympics this year as a statement to reflect on the Chinese treatment of Uyghurs.  With all of this noted, there hasn’t been much coverage or excitement for the winter Olympics.

We can only see what the Olympics have in store for the world. With the allegations against China and boycotting of the games, much may not be said. Maybe as the Olympics progress and more victories roll in, we could see a shift in coverage.

SOURCES:

The Torch,

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/beijing-winter-olympics/the-torch/china-sends-message-with-unconventional-controversial-lighting-of-olympic-flame/3534892/

BBC News,

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-22278037