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SCMP Editorial

Sport and politics do not mix. Sadly, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep them apart.
The war in Ukraine and broader global tensions, including differences between China and the West, have created challenges for those competing in and organising international sporting events.
China raised concerns with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on May 6. Premier Li Qiang met IOC chief Thomas Bach in Beijing and stressed that China is ready to “work with the IOC to oppose the politicisation of sport”.
This was a rare public statement on the issue and the first since the Beijing Winter Olympics last year. The games were hit with a diplomatic boycott by the US and some other nations over alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang.
China tells IOC of concerns about ‘politicising’ sport
Beijing has strenuously denied the claims. The playing of a protest song instead of China’s national anthem at sports events involving Hong Kong and the potential use of the Taiwan flag at international events are also said to be concerns.
China supports the IOC’s decision to open a pathway for individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in events under a neutral banner as the war in Ukraine continues. This includes the Summer Olympics in Paris next year.
In February 2022, the IOC had recommended a ban on the athletes competing, but many sports including tennis, cycling and ice hockey now allow them to participate.
The IOC’s decision has been criticised by a coalition of 30 nations, including the United States. But the ban on individuals, rather than countries, was clearly discriminatory. It was condemned by two United Nations Special Rapporteurs as a flagrant breach of human rights.
Sport has the potential to project a nation’s soft power. It often involves a lot of money. Top sporting events have increasingly become a target for highlighting various causes.
This applied to football’s World Cup in Qatar last year, with issues raised including the country’s labour rights and those of sexual minorities. The world of golf is divided over a new big-money tour backed by Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund. And in England last week, there was debate about the booing of the country’s national anthem by fans in Liverpool.
Olympics chief Bach ‘faces dilemma over Russian athletes’
It is inevitable that big sports events, with their global appeal, will be used to make political points or further certain agendas. But every effort should be made to ensure that, so far as possible, sport and politics are kept apart.
Sport offers an opportunity to bring nations – and their peoples – together. There is no room for discrimination. The core Olympic values are excellence, friendship and respect.
Sport, whether people participate or spectate, offers a welcome escape from the world’s problems. Long may international events continue and individuals be free to compete.


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Diplomacy

Sport and politics should be kept as far apart as possible

Chinese Premier Li Qiang with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in Beijing this month. Photo: Xinhua

China tells International Olympic Committee of concerns about ‘politicising’ sport

A protest song was played by mistake after Hong Kong beat Iran in an ice hockey match. Photo: Handout

Chinese Premier Li Qiang welcomed International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

2024 Paris Olympics: no Games for Russia without clarity on neutrality, more than 30 nations tell IOC

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has claimed he is doing most for peace by allowing Russian athletes to compete. Photo: DPA

Olga Fatkulina and Vadim Shipachyov, of the Russian Olympic Committee, carry a flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Photo: AP

Ukraine fiercely objects as IOC allows ‘neutral’ teams from Russia to compete in 2024 Olympics

A Russian flag held above the Olympic Rings during the Winter Olympics in 2014. Photo: AP

Opinion

It is inevitable that big sports events will be used to make political points or further certain agendas. But sport offers an opportunity to bring nations – and their peoples – together instead of driving them further apart


It is inevitable that big sports events will be used to make political points, but sport offers an opportunity to bring nations together, instead of driving them further apart.


Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

Fifa World Cup 2022

Ukraine war

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial