In the lead-up to the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese officials and state media repeatedly accused the United States and its allies of trying to “sabotage” the Games, lashing out at their diplomatic boycotts over China’s human rights record.
But the past two weeks have shown that it is Russia — China’s close friend and strategic partner — that has ended up partially overshadowing the Games, both in and away from the sporting arena.
Early in the first week, one of the Games’ most watched events, figure skating, was rocked by a doping scandal surrounding Russian skater Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old gold-medal favorite. After a stunning performance on her Olympic debut, Valieva was revealed to have tested positive for a banned substance back in December — an explosive controversy that quickly dominated global media attention of the Games.
And thousands of miles away from Beijing, the massive buildup of Russian military forces near Ukraine’s borders has sent alarm bells ringing across Europe and beyond. Fears of a full-scale invasion by Moscow has put much of the Western world on edge.
For the host nation, both are unwelcome distractions from its big moment in the global spotlight. But given Beijing’s close relations with Moscow — which both sides have described as being at “the highest level in history” — it can’t risk being perceived as critical of Russia.
After all, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Chinese capital earlier this month to show his personal support for the Games, attending an opening ceremony shunned by most Western leaders.
And so as the doping saga and Ukraine crisis made headlines around the world, China downplayed both issues for its domestic audience.
On Tuesday, all eyes were on Valieva when she stepped onto the ice at the women’s short program. Though she had been cleared to compete by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, her positive drug test still loomed over the event, potentially preventing her from collecting a medal should she make the podium.
Editor’s Note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter, a three-times-a-week update exploring what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. Sign up here.
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