New York, 7 December 2021 (GNP/ TDI): The 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed the Beijing Winter Olympics Truce Resolution, unanimously. 173 countries took part in the joint proposal. Though, there are still some countries that refused to sign the resolution, namely Australia, the United States (US), India, and Japan.
Earlier, it was said that the US President is mulling the possibility of boycotting the Beijing Winter Olympics. In response, China urged the US to not politicize the sports event. The diplomatic boycott would entail the absence of official delegations of the said countries. However, athletes will still participate in the event.
Aside from the aforementioned members of the “Quadruple Security Dialogue” (QUAD), Turkey has not signed the agreement, as well. Furthermore, North Korea and Israel normally do not participate in signing the Olympic Truce Resolution.
Olympics Truce Resolution
The “Olympic Truce” designed by the International Olympic Committee, is a peace movement. It is designed according to the sacred truce of the ancient Greek Olympics. The Truce Resolution entered the UN process in the 1990s.
The 48th UN General Assembly reviewed and passed the Olympic Truce for the first time in 1993. Ever since, an Olympic Truce Resolution has been submitted by the host countries of the succeeding Olympics and Winter Olympics, to the UN General Assembly.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) welcomed the adoption of the resolution by the UNGA. China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun stated that some countries are demanding a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Yet, it is an unpopular decision and will fail. He pointed out that it’s the Cold War mentality at work with the aim of politicizing sports, creating divisions, and provoking confrontation.
China as the host will welcome visitors from every part of the world. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is scheduled to commence on February 4 and conclude on February 20. Whereas, the Winter Paralympics will be held on March 4. All preparations are currently underway in the anticipation of the sports event.