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by Caden Clawson
Video Editor
Ranging from countries’ stances on human rights, to the food being served to athletes, the Beijing Olympics was full of controversy.
One of the biggest controversies in this year’s Olympics is China’s treatment of the Uyghur people. China has put the Uyghur people and other Muslim minorities into concentration camps and has suppressed their human rights.
Multiple countries have called for boycotts on varying levels of severity. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Lithuania, Kosovo, Estonia, Denmark, and Belgium all diplomatically boycotted the Winter Olympics. Athletes and coaches have also spoken out in protest about China’s treatment, though athletes still participated in the games.
“I think it’s good that the U.S. officials are boycotting it and allowing the athletes to make decisions, because our country is founded on liberty and freedom,” senior Caleb Stokes said. “So I’m glad we didn’t completely withdraw. However, I think it’s unfortunate that China treats the Uyghur people poorly and puts them in camps. Having the Olympics in China, you aren’t necessarily supporting China.”
India announced its intentions to boycott the Beijing Olympics after the opening ceremony when a commander in the Chinese Army who was involved in a conflict on the India-China border that left 20 Indian soldiers dead was chosen as an Olympic torchbearer.
Another major controversy at the Olympics is the doping scandal of 15-year-old Russian skater, Kamila Valieva, who tested positive for a banned substance back in December, but only announced it during the Olympics. She had traces of trimetazidine, a heart medication, in her system.
Valieva was the gold medal favorite in all of her events and helped the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) take gold in the team figure skating. Team USA came in second in the team competition.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) investigated Valieva but determined that she could still compete while they further investigated it. She was heavily favored to win gold in the women’s individual free skate but fell down multiple times. Instead of winning gold, she didn’t even medal––taking fourth.
Allowing Valieva to continue to compete sparked outrage among athletes and coaches. In any event that Valieva competes in and wins a medal, there will not be a medal ceremony and athletes will not receive their medals until after Valieva’s case is resolved.
Another controversy at this year’s Olympics is China’s treatment of other countries’ athletes and of their own athletes.
Many athletes complained about the quality of food they were being served and of the rooms they were moved to after testing positive for COVID-19.
German Alpine skiing coach Christian Schwaiger told British newspaper, the Sun, that China’s catering wasn’t enough to fuel high-performing athletes.
Other athletes tested positive for COVID and were required to quarantine but were not kept updated about their tests or circumstances.
“We are aware of the complaints raised by some athletes, particularly with regard to food temperature, variety, and portion size. The issues are currently being addressed together with Beijing 2022 and the respective management of the facilities concerned,” said the IOC in a released statement.
Despite this, many people still watch the Olympics and enjoy watching their favorite athletes and sports.
“Shaun White. Cause he’s so cool and he’s been to the snowboarding finals five times in the Olympics,” Stokes said. “And I always loved him when I was younger.”
One of the reasons people watch the Olympics is to watch their country’s athletes and to cheer them on. But for some people, they just enjoy watching the sports.
“I watch the Olympics because I like sports,” Stokes said. “I don’t really care if the U.S. is competing really. I do like the U.S. and I cheer for the U.S., however, if it’s skiing, and there is no U.S. participant, I’ll still watch it”
This year Olympic viewership dropped 42 percent from the last Olympics. But it is still a favorite thing to watch for some people because of the insight it gives them.
“I feel like it gives you perspective,” Stokes said. “Like when you’re watching it the announcers usually have stories of background for the athletes like background stories. And a lot of them came from hard places, and it’s kind of inspiring to hear how because of their dedication and hard work and grit they are able to compete at the highest level.”
