Abstract

The Olympic Charter links the principles of Olympism and sport to harmony, peace, and human dignity. However, when observing the Western reactions to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games and the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, sport does not seem outside the realm of international political struggle anymore. This study analyzes the differences in the Western governments’ reactions when approaching both events organized by China, especially in terms of support for the election and diplomatic movements before the opening ceremony. Beijing 2008 was received as a possibility of Chinese integration into the liberal order, and the organization received praise from all over the world. Nevertheless, the political, economic, and cultural events taking place in the fourteen years between 2008 and 2022 dramatically changed the relations between both superpowers. In this context, every issue served as an excuse for both sides to formulate threatening statements, and this led to the Anglo-Saxon diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022. This action, only comparable to the boycotts from both blocs during the Cold War, gives the idea that sports will also be increasingly politicized despite the Olympic Ideal. The West–China hegemonic competition will also be a competition to be followed in the next Olympic Games.