US considers boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022

A boycott is on the table, says a US State Department spokesperson, though no final decision has been reached.

The US is considering a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a State Department spokesperson told reporters Tuesday. The winter games are set to begin in February.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that a joint boycott with allied nations on board “is something we certainly wish to discuss,” according to CNBC.

“A coordinated approach will not only be in our interest but also in the interest of our allies and partners,” Price reportedly said, while adding that the Biden administration, which is looking to curb Chinese military expansion and human rights abuses, has made no final decision.

Speaking before the press at a State Department briefing, Price emphasized that the Beijing games are still nearly a year away.

“We’re talking about 2022, and we’re still in April of 2021, so these games remain some time away,” Price said. “I wouldn’t want to put a timeframe on it, but these discussions are underway.”

Price reiterated that sentiment in a tweet posted from the State Department spokesperson’s official Twitter account Tuesday evening.

“As I said, we don’t have any announcement regarding the Beijing Olympics,” Price tweeted. “2022 remains a ways off, but we will continue to consult closely with allies and partners to define our common concerns and establish our shared approach to the PRC.”