2022 Winter Olympics Begin in Beijing

The 2022 Winter Olympics began Friday in Beijing, China amid continued COVID-19 concerns and cross-spectrum criticism of the Chinese government. 

The Games will run from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20. Global political tensions and COVID-19 restrictions dominated the build-up to the Games, as several countries imposed diplomatic boycotts in protest of China's alleged abuse and oppression of the Uighur Muslim minority in the country's Xinjiang region. The U.S. is among those staging a diplomatic boycott of the Games, but American athletes are still competing. Ticket sales to the general public were canceled last month, making it the second consecutive Olympics to be closed to the public. 

Coverage from left- and center-rated sources often highlighted efforts to prevent COVID-19 from impacting events, as well as the events themselves and the results. Right-rated outlets covered the Olympics less prominently; some highlighted how House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told athletes to avoid "incurring the anger of the Chinese government" with protests. Many right-rated voices, especially those at National Review (Right bias), were highly critical of China's record on human rights and role in the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the abuse of Uighurs and alleged cover-up of a lab leak that led to the COVID-19 pandemic; they typically urged people not to watch the Olympics this year and avoid buying into purported Chinese propaganda. One guest writer for New York Times Opinion (Left bias) said the Games are "already a win for Beijing" and will highlight "the party-state’s firm control."