The Beijing Olympics opens today, and efforts to boycott are rampant:

• More than 180 organizations have called to boycott the Beijing Olympics due to China’s repeated human rights abuses, including the internment of Muslim minorities and treatment of tennis star Peng Shuai.
• Others called to relocate the Games because of China’s lack of transparency about the origins of COVID-19.
• Countries are encouraging their athletes to use disposable phones: researchers found that the mandatory My2022 app had flaws in its encryption.

The diplomatic solution: Despite these concerns, countries are still sending athletes to the Winter Olympics. America, Australia, Britain, Canada, Taiwan and many other countries, have announced a “diplomatic boycott” of the Games, simply meaning government officials will not attend.

Seizing the opportunity, China implements excessive rules:

• 21-day quarantine for non-fully vaccinated athletes and employees
• No foreign spectators (tickets sold only to Chinese citizens)
• Talking loudly, cheering and whistling are not allowed.
• All athletes and employees are confined to the Olympic bubble for the duration of the Games.