Medical personnel in protective suits watch as the China Ice Sports College hockey team practices on the ice during the Experience Beijing Ice Hockey Domestic Test Activity, a test event for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Photo: VCG

US President Joe Biden said Thursday that backing a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February is "something we're considering." The diplomatic boycott means Biden will not attend it, and the US will not send officials. 

Prior to the virtual summit between Chinese and US leaders, there was opinion in the US that the two leaders would discuss Olympic-related issues. It predicted that Beijing will invite Biden and Biden will set some conditions. But various reports show that China did not raise the issue of the Winter Olympics. The US lost a chance to make a bargain.

A state invitation will only be sent when the other side is understandably willing to accept the invitation. As the US has always been trying to politically exploit the Winter Olympics and put pressure on China, top US officials are unlikely to become kind guests at the Olympics. We believe it is time China stops inviting Washington to send top officials to the event. 

The Olympics is a sporting event, and the athletes are the main players. Dignitaries from countries come to encourage their athletes and give a boost to the Games. 

It is just petty and an insult to the Olympic spirit that Washington views the participation of its leaders or dignitaries as a favor to Beijing and something that could be exchanged for interests. 

The Olympics shouldn't welcome such officials. They harbor ill intentions. Even if they come, they will just create trouble. Without them, the Olympics will be pure. China has no time to accommodate them.

The worsened relationship between the US and China is globally known. The American attitude toward the Beijing Winter Olympics will not change the pattern of China-US strategic relations, but it can test how much rationality they have and how sincere they are when they say they want to manage China-US competition. The US has shown its unwillingness to promote the Olympic spirit with major powers like China and Russia and most countries in the world. It is prompting other countries to cooperate less with it on matters the US is concerned about, such as climate change.

US Senator Tom Cotton on Thursday arrogantly called for a boycott of the Winter Olympics. He demanded the US not send athletes and sponsors to quit. 

He behaves like political rubbish. Some US politicians are extremely conceited. They believe they can represent the international community and their opinion can dictate the glory or shame of an Olympic event. 

China must host this event with rightful justice and tell hostile US politicians that they are not welcome to the event. Coincidentally, Cotton is on China's sanctions list. He is not allowed to enter China for life.

This Olympic Games will be held successfully, because Beijing is the safest capital around the world against the COVID-19 pandemic. There is the least risk that athletes from around the world could get infected with the virus. They can enjoy the Games with a relaxed mind and show the charm of the Winter Olympics to the global audience.

China does not miss the presence of leaders or senior officials from the US or its allies. China's grace does not need their support. China's grace is displayed as long as the Olympics are held successfully and athletes come and go safely.