Statecraft and Sports The 2022 Winter Olympics kick off this week. But while athletes from around the world compete in Beijing, the Chinese government faces a diplomatic boycott over its human rights record and increased attention on its management of the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, questions about the cost to host, the right to protest, and the environmental impact continue to surround the Games.
Here’s what to know about the issues, debates, and diplomacy behind the Olympics.
The costs of hosting the Olympics have skyrocketed, while the economic benefits are far from clear, as this video illustrates. Dive deeper with this explainer 
Despite success early in the pandemic, “highly transmissible variants are challenging China’s draconian pandemic response and casting doubt on the efficacy rates of Chinese vaccines,” writes Yanzhong Huang. Read the report 
The International Olympic Committee says the games are not meant to be political. But for over one hundred years, governments and athletes have made statements through boycotts and protests. Revisit the protests with this timeline 
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing were supposed to be a triumph for the Chinese government. But the COVID-19 pandemic and a diplomatic boycott have hampered its plans, writes Ian Johnson. Get his quick take 
The Olympics are becoming less sustainable, and the Winter Games in snowless Beijing are no exception. Can organizers make them more environmentally friendly as the climate crisis intensifies? Read a brief explainer
Explore more on the Olympics from the Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 1777 F Street, NW — Washington, DC 20006
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