The Winter Olympics have begun in Beijing. The New York Times is reporting that China will open the Games with a smaller, shorter ceremony.
I don’t think I can ever recall a more controversial Olympic Games. Its not just the Covid Pandemic either. China is under the microscope for its human rights record.
Fox News is reporting there have been protests against the Games here in the U.S. over human rights abuses in China.
An unusual warning from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to U.S. athletes. She says they should keep quiet. “Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless.”
The U.S. is also staging a diplomatic boycott of the Games. Top American officials are not going.
Before the Games even began, Russian President Vladimir Putin went to China to meet with President Xi Jinping. It is being seen as a sign of solidarity between the two countries.
This comes as it looks more and more like Russia is getting ready to invade Ukraine.
The U.S. State Department believes Russia has a scheme in place to stage a fake attack from Ukraine on Russia to justify an invasion.
I remember the days when the Olympics were seen as a way to bring the world together. Not this time. While it’s great to see the athletes competing, there is a lot at stake on the world stage.
Will Russia invade Ukraine? Just how bad are China’s human rights violations?
At this point, the United States can only watch this play out from the sidelines. Like I said, let the games begin.