Wednesday, February 2, 2022 – 15:45 WIB
VIVA – The Winter Olympics torch relay has begun in Beijing, as the Chinese capital prepares to host a global sporting event against the backdrop of the diplomatic boycott and the coronavirus pandemic.
Starting Wednesday, more than 1,000 torchbearers will carry fire through competition areas in Beijing and the neighboring city of Zhangjiakou holding events such as cross-country skiing and ski jumping before the opening ceremony on Friday evening, Wednesday, February 02, 2022, as reported by the news agency. Algeria.
Spectators who will watch the torch relay are very limited, China encourages people to follow the event online, rather than having to watch in person.
The first three runners in the relay were Luo Zhihuan, an 80-year-old former speed skater who won China’s first winter sports world championship title in 1963, astronaut Jing Haipeng, and Chang’e 1 satellite designer Ye Peijian, according to the Beijing Daily.
The torch relay to Beijing began in October with activists unfurling banners accusing China of human rights abuses at a fire-lighting ceremony in the Olympic spiritual homeland of Greece.
Several countries, including the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada have announced a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics over China’s human rights record including its treatment of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang and a crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.
Beijing has strongly condemned the boycott by some countries, and will continue to move to hold the Olympics which will enhance its reputation.
