The 24th Olympic Winter Games in Beijing ended on Sunday after a good two weeks. The international press is harsh on the Olympics hosted by China.
Great Britain:
“The Guardians”: “Winter Games that were absurd, disturbing and often extraordinary. The soul-destroying story of young Russian figure skater Kamila Valiewa will be remembered.”
“The Telegraph”: “Farewell and goodbye to the most miserable games of all. China, Uyghurs, Kamila Valiyeva and Putin: what was to become a show of winter sports was a succession of scandals.”
France:
“L’Equipe”: “Time stood still. The Covid games were perfectly organized and sportingly successful. But they will always be marked by the Valiyeva affair.”
“Le Monde”: “Marked by the diplomatic boycott of certain countries and the threat of an epidemic, the XXIV Winter Games took place in a very controlled and smooth framework.”
“Le Figaro”: “Forever unique Olympic Games went down in Olympic history in Beijing.”
Spain:
“marca”: “The Valiyeva Games. The Olympic Games have closed their doors with many certainties and a single protagonist who made the big headlines. The 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valiyeva, her positive test long ago and the, of course, immediate demands for a minimum age for Olympic athletes games.”
Austria:
“Courier”: “End of the Olympics: China is celebrating, but sport has to mourn. With the Winter Games, the country has finally risen to become a major power in world sports. But the Olympic spirit has finally evaporated. The IOC is staying true to its line.”
“The press”: “The Olympic movement needs a reset. But the IOC cannot afford it. It has long since thrown its moral compass overboard, Beijing and everyday life in the corona bubble have shown how much it was at the mercy of its host.
Switzerland:
“NZZ”: “The Olympic Games are battered like never before since the height of the Cold War. Reforms are essential.”
USA:
“The Washington Post”: “The Olympics end without the Chinese concept being broken. The demonstration of athletic and technical ability was linked to information control and the rejection of criticism.”
“The New York Times”: “Beijing ends games marked by triumph, broken hearts and scandal.”
Australia:
“The Age”: “The Olympic leaders must learn: doing nothing is not neutral. It is abdication. The International Olympic Committee has stayed out of China’s politics. It has empowered a country accused of rampant human rights abuses with the most comfortable home advantage: a platform , to say and do what pleases him.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
