Vishwaraj Jadeja, India's fastest long-distance ice-skater, has qualified for the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup 2021 for long track speed skating.

The Ahmedabad-born Jadeja recently qualified for the big event, which will be held in Salt Lake, Utah from December 3 to 5, 2021. Jadeja worked his way to the World Cup having participated in 12 pre-qualification events since August 2021 and a good performance in Salt Lake will put him in a good situation to get a shot at the qualification to Beijing Olympics 2022.

Jadeja will compete in the Mass Start event, which is a shorter version of the Marathon. A Mass Start involves 16 laps of a 400-metre long track.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/omicron-will-lead-to-challenges-for-the-winter-olympics-china-432950">Omicron will 'lead to challenges' for the winter Olympics: China</a>

"The year 2021 saw the Indian athletes put in a great performance at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. I am inspired by those performances and am trying to make a march towards the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Not many Indians have participated in the winter events and I feel we are at a juncture where we can push towards it," Jadeja said.

Since India does not have many facilities for winter sports, Jadeja moved to the Netherlands a decade ago in his quest to find glory in ice speed skating. He has been training under the guidance of Wim Nieuwenhuizen, one of the world`s leading ice skating coaches.

Since then Jadeja has represented India in over 200 races internationally and has been a regular feature on the European ice skating circuit.

One of his most significant achievements came during the Winter World Games Masters 2020, where he won four medals - three silvers and one bronze. Last year, his timing in the 1500 metre event was 2.01.00 - which he has bettered to 1.57.90.

"While I have competed for years and have won medals, it is my dream to make it to the Olympics. The qualification to the World Cup is a major step in that direction. Last year, life came to a standstill due to the pandemic but I continued to stay in the Netherlands and train. This is a reward for my hard work and patience but a bigger one would be qualifying for Beijing," he pointed.

There is another World Cup scheduled in Calgary, Canada a week after the event concludes in Salt Lake, Utah. Jadeja is waiting for his visa for Canada and subject to all approvals on schedule will he fly for that event.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-alpine-skier-arif-khan-who-hails-from-kashmir-qualifies-for-beijing-winter-olympics-2022-430823">India's Alpine skier Arif Khan, who hails from Kashmir, qualifies for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022</a>

Jadeja has constantly needed funds to continue working at the highest level of the sport and over the last few years, has found some support from the Sports Authority of Gujarat, the Dream11 Foundation and the Schbang for Good Foundation.

With two World Cups scheduled in December, which are all ranking events for the Winter Olympics, Jadeja wants to make a final push during training in order to make the qualifying mark.

"It's always a chicken and egg story. You receive funding once you qualify for the Olympics. But you need more help when you are in the process of qualifying.

I'm pursuing a sport that has no infrastructure in India, so I need to be aboard most of the time. It gets really expensive, especially during an Olympic year. If we can get a fraction of the financial support that is extended to athletes at the Summer Olympics, I`m confident of good results," he said.&nbsp;

Vishwaraj Jadeja, India's fastest long-distance ice-skater, has qualified for the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup 2021 for long track speed skating. The Ahmedabad-born Jadeja recently qualified for the big event, which will be held in Salt Lake, Utah from December 3 to 5, 2021.

Vishwaraj Jadeja, India's fastest long-distance ice-skater, has qualified for the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup 2021 for long track speed skating. The Ahmedabad-born Jadeja recently qualified for the big event, which will be held in Salt Lake, Utah from December 3 to 5, 2021. Jadeja worked his way to the World Cup having participated in 12 pre-qualification events since August 2021 and a good performance in Salt Lake will put him in a good situation to get a shot at the qualification to Beijing Olympics 2022. Jadeja will compete in the Mass Start event, which is a shorter version of the Marathon. A Mass Start involves 16 laps of a 400-metre long track. ALSO READ: Omicron will 'lead to challenges' for the winter Olympics: China "The year 2021 saw the Indian athletes put in a great performance at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. I am inspired by those performances and am trying to make a march towards the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Not many Indians have participated in the winter events and I feel we are at a juncture where we can push towards it," Jadeja said. Since India does not have many facilities for winter sports, Jadeja moved to the Netherlands a decade ago in his quest to find glory in ice speed skating. He has been training under the guidance of Wim Nieuwenhuizen, one of the world`s leading ice skating coaches. Since then Jadeja has represented India in over 200 races internationally and has been a regular feature on the European ice skating circuit. One of his most significant achievements came during the Winter World Games Masters 2020, where he won four medals - three silvers and one bronze. Last year, his timing in the 1500 metre event was 2.01.00 - which he has bettered to 1.57.90. "While I have competed for years and have won medals, it is my dream to make it to the Olympics. The qualification to the World Cup is a major step in that direction. Last year, life came to a standstill due to the pandemic but I continued to stay in the Netherlands and train. This is a reward for my hard work and patience but a bigger one would be qualifying for Beijing," he pointed. There is another World Cup scheduled in Calgary, Canada a week after the event concludes in Salt Lake, Utah. Jadeja is waiting for his visa for Canada and subject to all approvals on schedule will he fly for that event. ALSO READ: India's Alpine skier Arif Khan, who hails from Kashmir, qualifies for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 Jadeja has constantly needed funds to continue working at the highest level of the sport and over the last few years, has found some support from the Sports Authority of Gujarat, the Dream11 Foundation and the Schbang for Good Foundation. With two World Cups scheduled in December, which are all ranking events for the Winter Olympics, Jadeja wants to make a final push during training in order to make the qualifying mark. "It's always a chicken and egg story. You receive funding once you qualify for the Olympics. But you need more help when you are in the process of qualifying. I'm pursuing a sport that has no infrastructure in India, so I need to be aboard most of the time. It gets really expensive, especially during an Olympic year. If we can get a fraction of the financial support that is extended to athletes at the Summer Olympics, I`m confident of good results," he said.

Ice skater Vishwaraj Jadeja qualifies for ISU World Cup, one step away from Beijing Winter Olympics

India's Alpine skier Arif Khan has qualified for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to be held from February 4 to 20 next year.&nbsp;

The 30-years-old Arif secured the place in the Games during the qualifying alpine skiing event in Dubai. Alpine skiing consists of five events: Downhill, super G, slalom, giant slalom and combined.&nbsp;

Arif, who hails from Kashmir, became the first Indian to be eligible to compete at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the slalom event.

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Slalom skiing is the shortest alpine event, involving skiing between poles or gates where skiers need to perform fast turns and rapid changes of direction.&nbsp;

Two rounds are held and ranking is established by adding the times of the two runs. During the games, the men's slalom event will be held on February 16.&nbsp;

It is important to note that in order to qualify for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the slalom, the average of five best results in the event between the period of July 1, 2019, to January 16, 2022, is considered.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chinese-state-media-reporter-shares-purported-pictures-of-peng-shuai-us-concerned-over-her-whereabouts-430697">Chinese state media reporter shares purported pictures of Peng Shuai, US concerned over her whereabouts</a>&nbsp;

Extra 20 per cent of the average points are added to the International Ski Federation (FIS) points list of those alpine skiers who have competed in less than five events during this period.&nbsp;

Arif Khan finished ninth, 10th and twice finished 11th in four slalom events over the past week at the Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.&nbsp;

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Arif Khan is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Beijing2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Beijing2022</a> bound! ⛷️ 
 
The Indian alpine skier has sealed a quota place in the men's slalom event at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherForASharedFuture?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherForASharedFuture</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/48YG81Sgyu">pic.twitter.com/48YG81Sgyu</a>
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020hi/status/1462084252523184129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Congratulations to skier Arif Khan for qualifying for Beijing Winter Olympics2022. It is a proud moment for the whole country.<a href="https://twitter.com/JKSportsCouncil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JKSportsCouncil</a> to ensure Arif is provided with world-class training facilities by best-in-class coaches&amp;support staff.I wish him all the best for games.
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Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Arif for the achievement and wrote, "Congratulations Arif, well done for qualifying for #Beijing2022. We will all be rooting for you."

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan also congratulated Arif Khan, he said, "Congratulations to skier Arif Khan for qualifying for Beijing Winter Olympics2022. It is a proud moment for the whole country. @JKSportsCouncil to ensure Arif is provided with world-class training facilities by best-in-class coaches&amp;support staff.I wish him all the best for games."

Previously, India had two representatives at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Jagdish Singh competed in the 15km freestyle event of cross-country skiing while Shiva Keshavan took part in the luge.

India's Alpine skier Arif Khan has qualified for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to be held from February 4 to 20 next year. The 30-years-old Arif secured the place in the Games during the qualifying alpine skiing event in Dubai.

India's Alpine skier Arif Khan has qualified for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to be held from February 4 to 20 next year. The 30-years-old Arif secured the place in the Games during the qualifying alpine skiing event in Dubai. Alpine skiing consists of five events: Downhill, super G, slalom, giant slalom and combined. Arif, who hails from Kashmir, became the first Indian to be eligible to compete at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the slalom event. ALSO READ | China says 'politicising sports' hurts Olympic spirit as Joe Biden mulls boycott Slalom skiing is the shortest alpine event, involving skiing between poles or gates where skiers need to perform fast turns and rapid changes of direction. Two rounds are held and ranking is established by adding the times of the two runs. During the games, the men's slalom event will be held on February 16. It is important to note that in order to qualify for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the slalom, the average of five best results in the event between the period of July 1, 2019, to January 16, 2022, is considered. ALSO READ | Chinese state media reporter shares purported pictures of Peng Shuai, US concerned over her whereabouts Extra 20 per cent of the average points are added to the International Ski Federation (FIS) points list of those alpine skiers who have competed in less than five events during this period. Arif Khan finished ninth, 10th and twice finished 11th in four slalom events over the past week at the Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Arif Khan is #Beijing2022 bound! ⛷️ The Indian alpine skier has sealed a quota place in the men's slalom event at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.#TogetherForASharedFuture #Olympics #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/48YG81Sgyu — #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) November 20, 2021 × Congratulations to skier Arif Khan for qualifying for Beijing Winter Olympics2022. It is a proud moment for the whole country.@JKSportsCouncil to ensure Arif is provided with world-class training facilities by best-in-class coaches&support staff.I wish him all the best for games. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) November 20, 2021 × Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Arif for the achievement and wrote, "Congratulations Arif, well done for qualifying for #Beijing2022. We will all be rooting for you." Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan also congratulated Arif Khan, he said, "Congratulations to skier Arif Khan for qualifying for Beijing Winter Olympics2022. It is a proud moment for the whole country. @JKSportsCouncil to ensure Arif is provided with world-class training facilities by best-in-class coaches&support staff.I wish him all the best for games." Previously, India had two representatives at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Jagdish Singh competed in the 15km freestyle event of cross-country skiing while Shiva Keshavan took part in the luge.

India's Alpine skier Arif Khan, who hails from Kashmir, qualifies for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

The silence of sponsors of Beijing’s Winter Olympics on the topic of human rights abuses in China is concerning, Human Rights Watch said on Friday.<o:p></o:p>

Companies such as Intel, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung, Toyota, Visa, Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Allianz and Alibaba are the corporate sponsors of the Winter Olympics which are scheduled to begin in Beijing in less than 100 days.<o:p></o:p>

New York-based Human Rights Watch is concerned that the corporate sponsors are not utilising their position and the timing in the best possible way. The group is urging the sponsors to use this platform to highlight the human rights violations and abuses taking place in China under the rule of Xi Jinping.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinpings-position-cemented-in-history-as-chinas-communist-party-passes-resolution-428596">Xi Jinping's position cemented in history as China's Communist Party passes resolution</a></o:p>

"There are just three months until the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but corporate sponsors remain silent over how they are using their influence to address China’s appalling human rights record," said Sophie Richardson, HRW's China director.<o:p></o:p>

Richardson also warned that sponsors that by not speaking out about the human rights abuses in China, these companies "risk instead being associated with an Olympics tainted by censorship and repression".<o:p></o:p>

HRW experts also revealed that they had earlier written to the sponsors about speaking against the human rights violations in the country, but had received only one response.<o:p></o:p>

Activists and international leaders have accused XI Jinping’s government of religiously repressing the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. China has also been accused of suppressing Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet’s rights, with the locals of those areas often protesting over China’s harsh policies.<o:p></o:p>

China, however, has slammed these accusations and have called it "politicisation" of sport. Talking on the same tune, the International Olympic Committee has claimed that it does not have the power "to go into a country and&nbsp;tell them what to do".<o:p></o:p>

The silence of sponsors of Beijing’s Winter Olympics on the topic of human rights abuses in China is concerning, Human Rights Watch said on Friday. Companies such as Intel, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung, Toyota, Visa, Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Allianz and Alibaba are the corporate sponsors of the Winter Olympics which are scheduled to begin in Beijing in less than 100 days.

The silence of sponsors of Beijing’s Winter Olympics on the topic of human rights abuses in China is concerning, Human Rights Watch said on Friday. Companies such as Intel, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung, Toyota, Visa, Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Allianz and Alibaba are the corporate sponsors of the Winter Olympics which are scheduled to begin in Beijing in less than 100 days. New York-based Human Rights Watch is concerned that the corporate sponsors are not utilising their position and the timing in the best possible way. The group is urging the sponsors to use this platform to highlight the human rights violations and abuses taking place in China under the rule of Xi Jinping. Also read | Xi Jinping's position cemented in history as China's Communist Party passes resolution "There are just three months until the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but corporate sponsors remain silent over how they are using their influence to address China’s appalling human rights record," said Sophie Richardson, HRW's China director. Richardson also warned that sponsors that by not speaking out about the human rights abuses in China, these companies "risk instead being associated with an Olympics tainted by censorship and repression". HRW experts also revealed that they had earlier written to the sponsors about speaking against the human rights violations in the country, but had received only one response. Activists and international leaders have accused XI Jinping’s government of religiously repressing the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. China has also been accused of suppressing Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet’s rights, with the locals of those areas often protesting over China’s harsh policies. China, however, has slammed these accusations and have called it "politicisation" of sport. Talking on the same tune, the International Olympic Committee has claimed that it does not have the power "to go into a country and tell them what to do".

Beijing Winter Olympics sponsors not utilising platform to talk about human rights: HRW

The United States President Joe Biden might get an invite by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to take place in February next year.&nbsp;

CNBC on Thursday (November 11), citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that the Chinese President is likely to extend his personal invitation to Biden when the two leaders will meet during a virtual summit.&nbsp;

Latest media reports have stated that the much-anticipated summit is scheduled for Monday (November 15) evening. The summit will be virtual, although, there isn't any official confirmation yet regarding the date and time.&nbsp;

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The summit will&nbsp;be held amid escalated tensions related to Taiwan; and how China has been treating Muslim ethnic groups in its western Xinjiang region. Several reports have accused China of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population. China has consistently denied it.&nbsp;

Also, a bipartisan group of US senators proposed an amendment recently to an annual defense policy bill that would prohibit the State Department from spending federal funds to "support or facilitate" the attendance of US government employees at the Games.&nbsp;

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also called for a diplomatic boycott. However, there is no official statement that can provide clarity over US' stand on Beijing Winter Olympics.&nbsp;

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Apart from the calls by the human rights groups for a partial or full boycott over reported abuses, preparations for the next year's Winter Olympics Games have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic also.&nbsp;

As China reported on Friday (November 12) the first COVID-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events. Two lugers of the same nationality tested positive, said Huang Chun, an official of the Games organising committee.&nbsp;

The Games will run from February 4 until February 20.&nbsp;

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The United States President Joe Biden might get an invite by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to take place in February next year.

The United States President Joe Biden might get an invite by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to take place in February next year. CNBC on Thursday (November 11), citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that the Chinese President is likely to extend his personal invitation to Biden when the two leaders will meet during a virtual summit. Latest media reports have stated that the much-anticipated summit is scheduled for Monday (November 15) evening. The summit will be virtual, although, there isn't any official confirmation yet regarding the date and time. ALSO READ | ‘A milestone': US Army’s elite sniping school gets its first woman graduate The summit will be held amid escalated tensions related to Taiwan; and how China has been treating Muslim ethnic groups in its western Xinjiang region. Several reports have accused China of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population. China has consistently denied it. Also, a bipartisan group of US senators proposed an amendment recently to an annual defense policy bill that would prohibit the State Department from spending federal funds to "support or facilitate" the attendance of US government employees at the Games. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also called for a diplomatic boycott. However, there is no official statement that can provide clarity over US' stand on Beijing Winter Olympics. ALSO READ | Russia accuses US of making 'aggressive moves' in Black Sea Apart from the calls by the human rights groups for a partial or full boycott over reported abuses, preparations for the next year's Winter Olympics Games have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic also. As China reported on Friday (November 12) the first COVID-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events. Two lugers of the same nationality tested positive, said Huang Chun, an official of the Games organising committee. The Games will run from February 4 until February 20. ×

Joe Biden to attend Beijing Winter Olympics? Report says he might get a personal invitation from Xi Jinping

China on Wednesday branded US House Speaker Nancy&nbsp;Pelosi&nbsp;"full of lies" after she called for a diplomatic boycott of&nbsp;next year's Beijing Winter Olympics, on human rights grounds.

The run-up to the Games, set for February 2022, is being dominated by recriminations over widespread allegations of abuse of China's Uyghur Muslims and other minorities, which the United States has labelled a "genocide".

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US&nbsp;lawmakers have been increasingly vocal about an Olympic boycott or venue change, and have lashed out at American corporations, arguing their silence about what the State Department has deemed a genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in China was abetting the Chinese government.

Pelosi, a Democrat, told a bipartisan congressional hearing on the issue that heads of state around the world should shun the Games, scheduled for February.

"What I propose - and join those who are proposing - is a diplomatic boycott,"&nbsp;Pelosi&nbsp;said, in which "lead countries of the world withhold their attendance at the Olympics."

Her comments provoked a fierce response from China, which denies mistreating the Uyghur minority and has said the internment camps where a huge number of them are held are vocational training centres designed to counter extremism.

"Some US individuals' remarks are full of lies and disinformation," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

"US politicians should stop using the Olympic movement to play despicable political games" or "use the so-called human rights issue as a pretext to smear and slander China."

An independent United Nations panel said in 2018 it had received credible reports that at least 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslims had been held in camps in China's Xinjiang region. Beijing describes them as vocational training centers to stamp out extremism, and strongly rejects accusations of abuse and genocide.

The United States led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, with the Soviet bloc snubbing the Summer Games in Los Angeles four years later in retaliation.

(With inputs from agencies)

China on Wednesday branded US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "full of lies" after she called for a diplomatic boycott of next year's Beijing Winter Olympics, on human rights grounds.

China on Wednesday branded US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "full of lies" after she called for a diplomatic boycott of next year's Beijing Winter Olympics, on human rights grounds. The run-up to the Games, set for February 2022, is being dominated by recriminations over widespread allegations of abuse of China's Uyghur Muslims and other minorities, which the United States has labelled a "genocide". US lawmakers have been increasingly vocal about an Olympic boycott or venue change, and have lashed out at American corporations, arguing their silence about what the State Department has deemed a genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in China was abetting the Chinese government. Pelosi, a Democrat, told a bipartisan congressional hearing on the issue that heads of state around the world should shun the Games, scheduled for February. "What I propose - and join those who are proposing - is a diplomatic boycott," Pelosi said, in which "lead countries of the world withhold their attendance at the Olympics." Her comments provoked a fierce response from China, which denies mistreating the Uyghur minority and has said the internment camps where a huge number of them are held are vocational training centres designed to counter extremism. "Some US individuals' remarks are full of lies and disinformation," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. "US politicians should stop using the Olympic movement to play despicable political games" or "use the so-called human rights issue as a pretext to smear and slander China." An independent United Nations panel said in 2018 it had received credible reports that at least 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslims had been held in camps in China's Xinjiang region. Beijing describes them as vocational training centers to stamp out extremism, and strongly rejects accusations of abuse and genocide. The United States led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, with the Soviet bloc snubbing the Summer Games in Los Angeles four years later in retaliation. (With inputs from agencies)

'Full of lies': China slams Pelosi's Winter Olympics boycott comment

The largest group of exiled ethnic Uighurs has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reconsider holding the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, citing what it says is evidence of crimes against humanity committed in China’s Xinjiang region.

The IOC, contacted about the submission by the World Uyghur Congress, which uses that spelling of Uighur, said in a statement to Reuters that it “must remain neutral on all global political issues”. It said it had received assurances from Chinese government authorities “that the principles of the Olympic Charter will be respected in the context of the Games”. 

The Chinese foreign ministry, in a response to Reuters, accused the World Uyghur Congress of having “multiple ties with terrorist organisations”. It said the group’s “ridiculous assertions are not worth rebutting” and added that preparations for the Winter Olympics are progressing smoothly.

U.N. experts estimate than more than a million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims have been detained against their will for several years in camps in the far western region.

China denies mistreatment of the minority group and says the camps holding many Uighurs provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said in a statement that it had submitted a formal complaint to the IOC’s ethics commission on Thursday.

It held that the IOC had “acted in breach of the Olympic Charter by failing to reconsider holding the 2022 Olympics in Beijing following verifiable evidence of genocide and crimes against humanity taking place against the Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims by the People’s Republic of China”.

The complaint, submitted by London-based lawyer Michael Polak, included evidence that it said proved that crimes against humanity are taking place such as mass sterilization, arbitrary detention in internment camps and torture.

The largest group of exiled ethnic Uighurs has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reconsider holding the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, citing what it says is evidence of crimes against humanity committed in China’s Xinjiang region.

The largest group of exiled ethnic Uighurs has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reconsider holding the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, citing what it says is evidence of crimes against humanity committed in China’s Xinjiang region. The IOC, contacted about the submission by the World Uyghur Congress, which uses that spelling of Uighur, said in a statement to Reuters that it “must remain neutral on all global political issues”. It said it had received assurances from Chinese government authorities “that the principles of the Olympic Charter will be respected in the context of the Games”.  The Chinese foreign ministry, in a response to Reuters, accused the World Uyghur Congress of having “multiple ties with terrorist organisations”. It said the group’s “ridiculous assertions are not worth rebutting” and added that preparations for the Winter Olympics are progressing smoothly. U.N. experts estimate than more than a million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims have been detained against their will for several years in camps in the far western region. China denies mistreatment of the minority group and says the camps holding many Uighurs provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism. Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said in a statement that it had submitted a formal complaint to the IOC’s ethics commission on Thursday. It held that the IOC had “acted in breach of the Olympic Charter by failing to reconsider holding the 2022 Olympics in Beijing following verifiable evidence of genocide and crimes against humanity taking place against the Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims by the People’s Republic of China”. The complaint, submitted by London-based lawyer Michael Polak, included evidence that it said proved that crimes against humanity are taking place such as mass sterilization, arbitrary detention in internment camps and torture.

Uighur group urges IOC to reconsider 2022 Beijing Winter Games venue

Russia's sports minister insisted Thursday that data handed to the World Anti-Doping Agency was not doctored, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-was-not-equipped-to-handle-size-of-russian-doping-scandal-reedie-260238">WADA</a> has asked Moscow to explain "inconsistencies."

"Nothing was removed there, our experts insist this didn't happen," sports minister Pavel Kolobkov said, Interfax news agency reported.

The electronic data handed to WADA investigators early this year came from RUSADA's former Moscow anti-doping laboratory. in September, WADA asked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wadas-russian-investigation-enters-new-phase-219322">Russia</a> to respond to "inconsistencies" in the data.

"These are technical questions, they are linked to the system," Kolobkov insisted, according to TASS news agency.&nbsp;

"At a meeting shortly between specialists from Russia and WADA these questions may be cleared up.

"We are doing all we can to fulfil the obligations that we committed to last September and we fulfilled them," Kolobkov added.

He said the current controversy had nothing to do with athletes preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"Such questions only make our athletes, trainers and federations nervous," he said.

The current head of Russia's anti-doping laboratory, Yuri Ganus, has denied that his team had any involvement in falsifying data but has said that he believes there was manipulation.

In an interview with AFP last month, Ganus said he expected Russia to be banned from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-medals-unveiled-a-year-before-games-238165">Tokyo Olympics</a> and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over the doctored data.

He blamed unnamed Russian officials for manipulating the data handed over to WADA.

Kolobkov denied those claims, saying: "There was not any manipulation as the head of Russia's anti-doping laboratory, Yuri Ganus, has said. That's our position."

He said Russia had already selected more than 100 athletes to take part in the Tokyo Olympics next year and he expected a final total of around 400 to take part.

"We can expect good results from the Olympics," he said.

WADA is currently holding its world conference in the Polish city of Katowice and the scandal over Russian state-backed doping and institutionalised cheating has dominated the proceedings.

Speaking at the conference on Wednesday, Ganus blasted the "irresponsible and destructive actions" of Russian authorities and blamed the falsification of the data from the laboratory on "forces outside RUSADA."

Russia's sports minister insisted Thursday that data handed to the World Anti-Doping Agency was not doctored, while WADA has asked Moscow to explain "inconsistencies.

Russia's sports minister insisted Thursday that data handed to the World Anti-Doping Agency was not doctored, while WADA has asked Moscow to explain "inconsistencies." "Nothing was removed there, our experts insist this didn't happen," sports minister Pavel Kolobkov said, Interfax news agency reported. The electronic data handed to WADA investigators early this year came from RUSADA's former Moscow anti-doping laboratory. in September, WADA asked Russia to respond to "inconsistencies" in the data. "These are technical questions, they are linked to the system," Kolobkov insisted, according to TASS news agency. "At a meeting shortly between specialists from Russia and WADA these questions may be cleared up. "We are doing all we can to fulfil the obligations that we committed to last September and we fulfilled them," Kolobkov added. He said the current controversy had nothing to do with athletes preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "Such questions only make our athletes, trainers and federations nervous," he said. The current head of Russia's anti-doping laboratory, Yuri Ganus, has denied that his team had any involvement in falsifying data but has said that he believes there was manipulation. In an interview with AFP last month, Ganus said he expected Russia to be banned from the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over the doctored data. He blamed unnamed Russian officials for manipulating the data handed over to WADA. Kolobkov denied those claims, saying: "There was not any manipulation as the head of Russia's anti-doping laboratory, Yuri Ganus, has said. That's our position." He said Russia had already selected more than 100 athletes to take part in the Tokyo Olympics next year and he expected a final total of around 400 to take part. "We can expect good results from the Olympics," he said. WADA is currently holding its world conference in the Polish city of Katowice and the scandal over Russian state-backed doping and institutionalised cheating has dominated the proceedings. Speaking at the conference on Wednesday, Ganus blasted the "irresponsible and destructive actions" of Russian authorities and blamed the falsification of the data from the laboratory on "forces outside RUSADA."

Russian sports minister denies doping data was falsified

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