Europe leaves in the air to join the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics

France is committed to a common position, but Italian sources recall that they have to pick up the baton by 2026

, Dec 7 () –

The European countries have not yet established a position on the possible diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing and, although some such as Germany and France have opted to establish common positions, Italy may not be willing to such an outrage taking into account that will be the next host of the sporting event.

The French Foreign Ministry has indicated this Tuesday, through a spokeswoman, that for now Paris is limited to “taking note” of the decision announced by the White House, although it hopes to “coordinate at the European level” a joint response to a gesture that would suppose to strain even more the political pulse with Beijing.

The new German government, which will take office on Wednesday, does not close any doors. The future chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has assured at a press conference that any decision will be made taking into account the international context and has advocated studying any measure “carefully”, according to the DPA news agency.

The diplomatic boycott, a step that the United States had not taken since the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, means in practical terms not sending any political representation to the meeting that will take place in February 2022, so in principle it should not affect the participation of athletes from countries that support it.

PASS THE WITNESS

In the case of Italy, it happens that it will be the country that will pick up the baton as the organizing country, since the 2026 Olympic Games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. “We cannot miss it,” Italian government sources have used in statements to the AdnKronos agency.

Precisely the Olympic Games after those in Moscow took place in Los Angeles, so the closing ceremony in 1980 included symbols other than the usual ones.

The Olympic flag that symbolizes the passing of the witness from one country to another was not received by the mayor of the United States city, but by the president of the International Olympic Committee – at that time Juan Antonio Samaranch – and instead of lowering the flag of The United States, the one that rose was that of Los Angeles.