The Olympics allow talented athletes to compete in sports they've vigorously trained for, but global issues actively affected this year's Winter Olympics by presenting a wide range of issues and controversies. While we reflect on the conclusion of this year's games, its important to consider the circumstances presented.
UYGHUR GENOCIDE SPARKS PROTESTS
Once Beijing had been voted on to host the Winter Olympics, the World Uyghur Congress urged for reconsideration. After the International Olympic Committee denied because they wanted to stay separate from politics, various human rights organizations called for protests and boycotts worldwide; even calling for NBC to cancel broadcasting plans. Groups who protested these games called them the "Genocide Games." Many other diplomatic boycotts resulted in a response from the IOC. “We are taking this very seriously,” IOC President Thomas Bach said. “But we are not a super world government where the IOC can solve or even address issues for which the UN security council, G7 and G20 has no solution."
KAMILA VALIEVA TESTS POSITIVE FOR BANNED SUBSTANCE
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for the use of a banned heart medication, and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency suspended her after results became public. Though, a day later her suspension was cancelled and she was officially allowed to participate again on February 14. Valieva was allowed to compete on the basis that it was not her fault the results had a lengthy return time, as the initial test took 44 days to come in.
POOR COVID-19 ISOLATION ROOMS
With lack of communication and poor food, Russian biathlon competitor Valeria Vasnetsova took to Instagram to express her concerns. "I’ve lost a lot of weight and my bones are sticking out," Vasnetsova said in a deleted post. "I can’t eat anything else, I don’t know anything about my corona tests." She claimed that for the same meals over five days little was edible, and that other athletes were receiving even worse treatment.
SOUTH KOREAN CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
After noticing a woman wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, during the opening ceremony, South Koreans raised their voices against the narrative that the hanbok was of Chinese origin. The woman was dressed in traditional attire among others representing China's various ethnic groups. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said in a statement that the hanbok belongs to ethnic Koreans everywhere, including those in China.
FIRST OLYMPICS USING 100% MAN MADE SNOW
Winter Olympics are traditionally hosted in regions that receive over 300 inches of snow, but due to irregular weather patterns and lack of natural snow in the Zhangjiakou Olympic Village, 100% of the snow athletes competed on this year was man-made. There was an estimation of around 49 million gallons of water used to create this snow, despite Beijing being one of the most water-scarce cities in the world. While the feel of fresh powder snow is significantly different, man made snow allowed skiers and snowboarders to glide much faster and make quicker turns with a durable and consistent surface. However, natural snow seemed to be safer since harder surfaces potentially lead to more injuries.
Credits:
Created with images by Unknown - "Park City Utah Skiing · Free photo on Pixabay" • Unknown - "Photo gratuite: Anneaux Olympiques, Whistler - Image ..."