No minister in Bejing, but not a boycott

Thursday, 27 January 2022 06:30

The government say no minister will be going to the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing – but it’s keen to highlight it's not an official boycott, as some countries are doing, but it’s due to Covid.

The United States, the UK, Canada and Australia are not sending diplomats to the games in protest over alleged human rights abuses.

The Federal Council says embassy staff will be at the ceremony, so there will be no empty seats.

It cited the health situation which means no high-level meetings will be able to take place. Ministers would not even be able to meet Swiss athletes due to the bubble rules.

The Swiss Olympic Committee says it’s disappointed, but it understands the decision.

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