Seth Udinski, FISM News

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As national teams prepare to take part in the Opening Ceremonies in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in what is supposed to be a ceremony of unity, for many these Games instead represent abuse and conflict.

The games will commence under a shadow of controversy, as China has been accused by many nations of perpetrating terrible injustices against Uyghur Muslims. Reports have also surfaced of censorship and technology hacking in the country, leading many athletes to forfeit bringing devices into the country during the games.

Adding to the controversy is the continuing effects of the global COVID-19 lockdowns instituted over the past two years, as the Games are taking place in the nation where the virus originated. This has led many who believe that China purposely released the virus, or at the very least downplayed its severity, to argue that the country should not have ever been allowed to host the games in the first place.

Athletes and media personnel will remain in a “bubble” for the duration of the games, with limited fan attendance and no fans allowed from foreign countries.

Some believe this is an attempt by China to gain complete dominance over the games. Victor Cha, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., said:

Covid has really given them the excuse to completely lock down everything. They want to have complete control over the picture of the Olympics and that helps. They shrug off the diplomatic boycotts. It feeds the domestic narrative that the west is trying to steal China’s moment in sun, and they can say leaders are not coming anyway because of Covid.

The games will continue as planned despite the conflict. The Opening Ceremonies will air on Friday night in the United States, with individual competitions already underway.