The United Kingdom and Canada on Wednesday joined the “diplomatic boycott” movement of the Beijing Winter Olympics that Washington launched earlier this week. Six countries have now announced a boycott: Australia, Canada, the USA, Lithuania, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

France, for its part, does not seem to want to follow this example. The Minister of Education and Sports, Jean-Michel Blanquer, was questioned this Thursday morning by BFMTV and reiterated: “France will not do that […] but we will have politically clear messages.”

Protecting the world of sport from political influence

Jean-Michel Blanquer said he would not travel to Beijing, but explained that Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu would travel to China, as would Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State for People with Disabilities. “Sport is a world unto itself that must be protected as much as possible from political influence. Otherwise it can go in any direction and we will end up eliminating all competitors,” argued Jean-Michel Blanquer. And added: “We must condemn human rights violations in China, because they exist.” […]. When competing in sports, you need to know how to have the right and appropriate attitude.”

The tone chosen by Jean-Michel Blanquer is in contrast to the tone previously represented in Paris, even if it creates cacophony. Following the announcement of Washington’s decision, which highlights the defense of human rights and in particular the situation of this boycott. And explained that France would “coordinate” with the other countries of the European Union on this issue.

A position that was, however, reaffirmed almost simultaneously this Thursday morning by the Quai d’Orsay. “We are in favor of there being a common position through which we will evaluate all the issues at the next or next meeting of foreign ministers, but this issue must be dealt with as Europeans,” explained Jean-Yves Le Drian during a joint press conference with his German counterparts.

Beijing annoyed

If confirmed, France’s decision not to join the diplomatic boycott movement initiated by the United States will undoubtedly satisfy Beijing, which has criticized the American initiative. “The politicization of sport is a clear violation of the spirit of the Olympic Charter, especially the principle of political neutrality,” summarized the spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in London. This echoes a line of defense already put forward by Beijing, which reminded Washington after the announcement of the American boycott that the Winter Olympics were “not a stage for posturing and political manipulation.”

However, this does not prevent Beijing from showing some anger at the measures announced by the West. “Nobody cares whether they come or not,” Chinese diplomatic spokesman Wang Wenbin said during a news conference on the Australian decision. He also assured that his country had never intended to invite senior Australian officials.