U.S. to Diplomatically Boycott Beijing Olympics, China Promises 'Resolute Countermeasures'

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed Monday that the U.S. will not send a diplomatic delegation to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, China.

"The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games given the [People's Republic of China's] ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses," Psaki told reporters.

The boycott does not extend to athletes, and Psaki added that competitors will have the country's "full support." The winter event will kick off on Friday, February 4.

"We will be behind them 100 percent as we cheer them on from home," she said. "We will not be contributing to the fanfare of the games. U.S. diplomatic or official representation would treat these games as business as usual in the face of the PRC's egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang, and we simply can't do that."

President Joe Biden sent a delegation of administration officials to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games this past summer. First Lady Jill Biden attended the games, cheering on athletes in swimming and basketball.