Committee Asserts Its Sole Responsibility is to “Deliver the Games” Amid Accusations of Human Rights Violations
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced questions regarding its stance on human rights issues linked to the Beijing Winter Olympics, scheduled for next year. When asked about the moral responsibility of the IOC in ensuring that athletes and sponsors did not become complicit in supporting alleged human rights abuses in China, spokesman Mark Adams emphasized that the IOC’s primary role is to “deliver the Games.”
Adams maintained that the IOC’s responsibility lies in organizing the event, which he described as “an amazing thing for the world.” He suggested that the United Nations and governments should address the human rights concerns, not the IOC. He further noted the committee’s need to remain neutral, given the diverse participation in the Olympics.
The IOC’s position follows a U.S. Congressional hearing that questioned five of its major American-based sponsors — Intel, Procter & Gamble, Airbnb, Visa, and Coca-Cola — regarding their involvement with the Chinese government amid allegations of genocide in the Xinjiang region.