Visitors take pictures of the flame of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games displayed at the Olympic Tower near the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium in Beijing on October 23, 2021. The public will be able to book tickets to visit the flame, which landed in Beijing on October 20 from Athens, Greece. Photo: VCG

A so-called boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics has harmed the interests of athletes who have trained hard for four years and has also harmed the interests of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic family, said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, in response to calls by some politicians for a "boycott" of the Beijing Winter Olympics recently. 

The Beijing Winter Olympics is a platform for athletes to pursue their dreams and a feast for fans of winter sports. It is also a platform for people around the world to increase friendship under the banner of the Olympics, Zhao said at a routine press conference on Friday. 

Recently, a group of Lithuanian politicians have called on the country's government, its National Olympic Committee and its athletes to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympic Games after China downgraded the country's diplomatic status due to Lithuania's continuous provocation over Taiwan. 

Previously, US President Joe Biden was also reportedly considering a boycott of the Games over "human rights" concerns. 

Zhao noted on Friday that according to data from the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as of November 17 it had received more than 14,000 applications for registration from the EU, the US and Australia, with 1,528 from the US Olympics Committee. 

Athletes from around the world have expressed their anticipation for the Beijing Games, despite the calls for a "boycott" by some politicians, Zhao said. 

China firmly believes that under the guidance of the Olympic spirit, more people in the international community would stand out to oppose politicizing of the Olympics and firmly support the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. China will work with the IOC and every county to present a "safe, simple and splendid event," Zhao said, noting that all political tactics that go against the Olympic spirit will die down and the Olympic flame that represents peace and love will burn in the National Stadium.