Calls Human Rights Issues Very Serious, Sebastian Coe: Diplomatic Boycott Of The Beijing Winter Olympics Is Meaningless

Beijing Winter Olympics illustration. (Screenshot of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics official website)

JAKARTA - British politician who is also an Olympic gold medalist Sebastian Coe said he took human rights issues very seriously. But Britain's diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is meaningless.

In addition to Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada have also announced a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics over China's human rights record, a stance China considers a 'political stance'. Later, Japan also stated that it would not send a government delegation.

Coe's comments come after he drew criticism for comments last week when he said he was "philosophically opposed" to the boycott.

"Boycotts, on balance, are historically illiterate and intellectually dishonest. Political boycotts are, frankly, meaningless," Coe told British media, citing Reuters Dec. 31.

"That's not to be a defender for countries that don't live up to basic standards around human rights. I'm not indifferent or conceited about human rights. I take it very seriously," said the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medalists. number 1,500 meters Athletics.

"I don't think in the long term (the boycott) really achieves much. There are always unintended consequences. And in the end, the people who suffer the most are the athletes," he continued.

Last week, Coe emphasized the importance of discussion over calls for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. As an athlete, he won gold medals in two boycotted Olympic events.

When they won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, 66 countries boycotted the quadrennial world sporting event. Four years later, Coe also won gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, when the Soviet Union and other Eastern Blocs took turns to boycott.

"I'm against sport boycotts. I've had them and they tend not to get what they want out of it," he said last week.