Controversial 2022 Winter Olympics End
The 2022 Winter Olympic Games recently ended. The Winter Games were held in Beijing and represent the second time in six months that the Olympics have taken place – after the Summer 2020 Games in Tokyo were postponed because of the pandemic.
There were several factors that made the Beijing Games controversial, such as a doping scandal involving a Russian skater and an American born skier who decided to represent China in the Games to honor her mother’s homeland.
What actions taken by athletes made the Olympics controversial?
INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Videos:
News Articles:
How will the Beijing Games be remembered?
BBC NEWS
February 21, 2022
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-60429251
Journalists group calls China’s handling of games ‘contrary to the Olympic spirit’
THE HILL
February 21, 2022
9 moments that resonated at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
NPR
February 21, 2022
News Articles (Analyses):
The 2022 Winter Games in Beijing are the worst Olympics ever – opinion
THE JERUSALEM POST
February 21, 2022
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-698194
NBC’s Beijing Olympic ratings called a ‘disaster’ for network: ‘I’m stunned … There is karma in the world’
FOX NEWS
February 21, 2022
https://www.foxnews.com/media/nbc-beijing-olympic-ratings-disaster
Beijing 2022: The DW reporters’ perspectives
Deutsche Welle
February 21, 2022
https://www.dw.com/en/beijing-2022-the-dw-reporters-perspectives/a-60855578
Beijing Olympics will go down as China’s failed attempt to use, misuse sport for political propaganda
THE INDIAN EXPRESS
February 22, 2022
Assessment:
Writing: Why were the 2022 Winter Olympics controversial?
Debate: What would have been best way to draw attention to China’s human rights violations during the Olympics?
Poll: Should countries that engage in human rights abuses get to hold the Olympics?
Short Answer: What is the significance of China holding the 2022 Winter Olympics?
QUIZ:
The two most recent Olympic Games were held less than a year apart. (T/F)
A Chinese military commander took part in the opening ceremony. (T/F)
Very few restrictions were placed on athletes or journalists at the Winter Olympics. (T/F)
The Chinese government has been accused of committing genocide against which of the following?
- Uyghurs.
- North Koreans.
- Rohingya.
- Ukrainians.
What served as the catalyst for diplomatic boycotts of the 2022 Winter Games?
a. Invasion of Taiwan.
b. Human right abuses.
c. Trade war.
d. Environmental racism.
All the following are true concerning why the 2022 Winter Olympics were a success for China EXCEPT.
a. They were held despite there being a pandemic.
b. They were held despite a diplomatic boycott.
c. Many Chinese fans were able to attend events.
d. China was able to win several medals.
