Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was tested positive for a banned substance, was allowed to compete in the women's singles in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 on Monday (February 14).

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was tested positive for a banned substance, was allowed to compete in the women's singles in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 on Monday (February 14). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had upheld the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's decision to lift a ban on the 15-year-old Russian athlete. Valieva was tested positive for a banned substance on December 25 and CAS cited "exceptional circumstances" for its decision to allow her to compete, including her status as a "protected person" -- in other words, a minor. Matthieu Reeb, CAS director-general, said: "The panel considered that preventing the athlete to compete in the Olympic Games would cause her irreparable harm in these circumstances." US is 'disappointed' The US Olympic Committee said it was "disappointed" by the CAS decision. USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said, "We are disappointed by the message this decision sends. This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia." Although, there is nothing conclusive on Kamila Valieva yet. However, the Western countries could press IOC to take action after further probe. Russia's tainted history of doping at Olympics In 2014 (Feb), Russia hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi. It was the first time Russia has hosted the Olympics since the collapse of the Soviet Union, surprising the spectators, Russia finished on top of the medal table. In the same year (Dec), as per a German television channel ARD, reports emerged that there is corruption and "systematic doping" in Russia. In 2015 (Nov), an independent commission set up by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and led by Dick Pound, the agency’s first president, found a "deeply rooted culture of cheating" in Russian athletics, which it said Russian state security services colluded with. It recommended that Russia be banned from international athletics. In 2016 (May), The New York Times reported that dozens of Russian athletes who competed at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, including at least 15 medal winners, were part of a state-run doping program. In 2016 (Jul), an independent commission set up to probe the allegations in the New York Times report, led by Canadian law professor and sports lawyer Richard McLaren, revealed evidence of widespread "state-sponsored doping" by Russian athletes at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The report also revealed that the Russian Ministry of Sport oversaw the manipulation of athletes’ analytical results and sample swapping. In 2017 (Aug), Russia remained barred from athletics but 19 Russian athletes were allowed to compete at the world championships in London as neutrals after being vetted by the IAAF. In 2017 (Dec), the IOC suspended the ROC and banned the country from the Pyeongchang Winter Games the following February. However, it said it would allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals "as long as they satisfy strict conditions that show they have a doping-free background." In 2018 (Feb), a team of 168 Russians competed as part of a neutral 'Olympic Athlete from Russia' (OAR) team. In 2018 (Sept), WADA's executive committee voted to reinstate RUSADA before it had fulfilled the requirements laid out in a "Roadmap to Compliance", which included giving access to the data stored at Moscow's anti-doping laboratory. In 2019 (Jan), WADA extracted doping data from the discredited Moscow laboratory. In 2019 (Sept), WADA said historical data supplied by the country’s anti-doping authority contained "inconsistencies". In 2019, (Nov), a WADA compliance committee recommended that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory data. In 2019 (Dec), Russia was banned from the world's top sporting events for four years, including the next Summer and Winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup, for tampering with doping tests. In 2020, (Dec), CAS upheld doping sanctions that prevent Russian athletes from competing at major international events under the country's flag, but halved the ban to two years from four. The ban ends on Dec 16, 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

From Sochi to Beijing: Russia's tainted history of doping at Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday (February 14) said that the flower and medal ceremonies&nbsp;will not take place if Russian teenage figure skater Kamila Valieva finishes among&nbsp;the top three in the women's single skating competition during the Winter Olympics 2022, which is underway in Beijing.&nbsp;

IOC will withhold medals from Valieva and from her competitors until the case is resolved.&nbsp;

IOC also said that there will also be&nbsp;no ceremony for the team event, won by Russia last week with Valieva playing a starring role.&nbsp;

The 15-year-old, who was tested positive for a banned substance, was allowed to compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics after a decision by the sport's top court on Monday (February 14).&nbsp;

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had upheld the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's decision to lift a ban on the 15-year-old Russian athlete.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/erin-jackson-creates-history-becomes-first-black-woman-to-win-individual-winter-olympic-gold-453140">Erin Jackson creates history, becomes first Black woman to win individual Winter Olympic gold</a>

After the decision, IOC in a statement said, "In the interest of fairness to all athletes and the NOCs concerned, it would not be appropriate to hold the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022."&nbsp;

It added, "It would include an athlete who on the one hand has a positive A-sample, but whose violation of the anti-doping rules has not yet been established on the other hand."&nbsp;

IOC said that the "management of the case after this positive A-sample has not yet been concluded" and it informed that "only after due process" can establish whether Valieva infringed the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and would have to be sanctioned.&nbsp;

"This inconclusive situation led the IOC EB to the following decisions, after having had initial consultations with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) concerned," said IOC.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-olympics-kamila-valieva-to-compete-post-cas-ruling-citing-exceptional-circumstances-453132">Beijing Olympics: Kamila Valieva to compete post CAS ruling citing 'exceptional circumstances'</a>

Meanwhile, the US Olympic Committee said it was "disappointed" by the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to allow Valieva&nbsp;to compete again.&nbsp;

"We are disappointed by the message this decision sends," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said, adding: "This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday (February 14) said that the flower and medal ceremonies will not take place if Russian teenage figure skater Kamila Valieva finishes among the top three in the women's single skating competition during the Winter Olympics 2022, which is underway in Beijing.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday (February 14) said that the flower and medal ceremonies will not take place if Russian teenage figure skater Kamila Valieva finishes among the top three in the women's single skating competition during the Winter Olympics 2022, which is underway in Beijing. IOC will withhold medals from Valieva and from her competitors until the case is resolved. IOC also said that there will also be no ceremony for the team event, won by Russia last week with Valieva playing a starring role. The 15-year-old, who was tested positive for a banned substance, was allowed to compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics after a decision by the sport's top court on Monday (February 14). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had upheld the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's decision to lift a ban on the 15-year-old Russian athlete. ALSO READ | Erin Jackson creates history, becomes first Black woman to win individual Winter Olympic gold After the decision, IOC in a statement said, "In the interest of fairness to all athletes and the NOCs concerned, it would not be appropriate to hold the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022." It added, "It would include an athlete who on the one hand has a positive A-sample, but whose violation of the anti-doping rules has not yet been established on the other hand." IOC said that the "management of the case after this positive A-sample has not yet been concluded" and it informed that "only after due process" can establish whether Valieva infringed the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and would have to be sanctioned. "This inconclusive situation led the IOC EB to the following decisions, after having had initial consultations with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) concerned," said IOC. ALSO READ | Beijing Olympics: Kamila Valieva to compete post CAS ruling citing 'exceptional circumstances' Meanwhile, the US Olympic Committee said it was "disappointed" by the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to allow Valieva to compete again. "We are disappointed by the message this decision sends," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said, adding: "This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia."

No medal ceremony if Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva wins at Beijing Winter Olympics

A number of Olympic events were cancelled or postponed on Sunday after heavy snowfall swept across China's northern regions including the host city of Beijing.

Heavy snowfall disrupts the ongoing Beijing Winter Olympics, authorities issue weather alert

The Chinese embassy in South Korea has denied accusations of cultural appropriation after a performer at the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony was condemned for wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress.

Beijing Winter Olympics: Is hanbok this year’s kimchi?

The international Olympic committee is launching an urgent appeal and that's because they're going to the court of arbitration for sport. This is after confirming that 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance.

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Russian skater in the deadlock after doping scandal confirmed

A 15-year-old Russian skating star Kamila Valieva has been tested positive for a banned substance, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics testers have confirmed on Friday (February 11).&nbsp;

Raising 'serious' questions, the chief of Russia's Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov told local media: "The timings of sample processing raise serious questions: between December 25, when it was collected in Saint Petersburg, and February 8, when it was processed."&nbsp;

Pozdnyakov told the RIA Novosti news agency, "It seems like someone held the sample until the end of the team skating tournament."&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-russia-doping-row-to-inedible-food-controversies-galore-at-beijing-winter-olympics-2022-452360">From Russia doping row to 'inedible' food: Controversies galore at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022</a>

He also added that according to international standards of WADA laboratories, the processing time is 20 days from the date of receiving the sample.&nbsp;

He told reporters that it was "strange that the sample travelled from Saint Petersburg to Stockholm for almost a month," added that he wanted "specific answers as to why this happened."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the head of the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, told Reuters on Friday that the United States could prosecute the Russians involved in Valieva's doping case under the American Rodchenkov Act (RADA).&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/doping-controversy-comes-back-to-haunt-russia-at-beijing-2022-winter-olympics-heres-what-we-know-so-far-452130">Doping controversy comes back to haunt Russia at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: Here's what we know so far</a>

The Russian skater was tested positive for trimetazidine - a metabolic agent that is prescribed for the treatment of angina and vertigo.&nbsp;

However, it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because it can increase blood flow efficiency and help endurance.&nbsp;

The IOC and the International Skating Union are appealing against Russia's decision to allow Valieva to continue competing in Beijing.&nbsp;

A 15-year-old Russian skating star Kamila Valieva has been tested positive for a banned substance, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics testers have confirmed on Friday (February 11).

A 15-year-old Russian skating star Kamila Valieva has been tested positive for a banned substance, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics testers have confirmed on Friday (February 11). Raising 'serious' questions, the chief of Russia's Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov told local media: "The timings of sample processing raise serious questions: between December 25, when it was collected in Saint Petersburg, and February 8, when it was processed." Pozdnyakov told the RIA Novosti news agency, "It seems like someone held the sample until the end of the team skating tournament." IN PICS | From Russia doping row to 'inedible' food: Controversies galore at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 He also added that according to international standards of WADA laboratories, the processing time is 20 days from the date of receiving the sample. He told reporters that it was "strange that the sample travelled from Saint Petersburg to Stockholm for almost a month," added that he wanted "specific answers as to why this happened." Meanwhile, the head of the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, told Reuters on Friday that the United States could prosecute the Russians involved in Valieva's doping case under the American Rodchenkov Act (RADA). IN PICS | Doping controversy comes back to haunt Russia at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: Here's what we know so far The Russian skater was tested positive for trimetazidine - a metabolic agent that is prescribed for the treatment of angina and vertigo. However, it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because it can increase blood flow efficiency and help endurance. The IOC and the International Skating Union are appealing against Russia's decision to allow Valieva to continue competing in Beijing.

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: Russia raises 'serious questions' over Kamila Valieva doping scandal

A cross-country Darya Dolidovich skier has fled Belarus for Poland after being banned from competing at the Winter Olympics due to their political views.

Darya Dolidovich, Belarusian skier flees to Poland after being barred from Winter Olympics

Shaun White was at the bottom of the halfpipe, chatty and relieved, just as the sun was sinking. He was talking about making it through to another Winter Olympics final, two days away, and maybe, just maybe, finishing his career, at 35, with another gold medal.

But he could not help but be nostalgic, too. This is a farewell tour, after all, his fifth and final Olympics, which means that White has three rides left, all on Friday (Thursday night in the United States). He mentioned Jake Burton Carpenter, founder of Burton Snowboards, who died in 2019. Carpenter gave White a snowboard at age 7 and set him on a course to becoming the most famous snowboarder in the world.

“Here we are today because of that,” White said. “Maybe I could be that for the next generation.”

It was a humble thing to say because White already is that for the next generation. He has been that for a long time.

White was one of the last competitors to ride in qualifications on Wednesday. When it was still unclear whether he would advance to the final, other top snowboarders talked about him as a sort of snowplow for their own careers — leading the way for all of them to make a living on a snowboard, to turn the halfpipe into one of the Olympics’ must-see events.

How many of them would be here without White? How many cameras would be aimed their way?

His rivals spoke of White in the present tense. White is not some creaky antique. He is not here as a favor. He earned his way onto the U.S. team, which is always a challenge. It was during that chase this winter that he realized this would be it. He ended any thoughts of four more years, of the 2026 Olympics in Italy.

“I was pretty excited about maybe attempting Italy, but these injuries and then COVID, all these things coming up, I just took it as a sign that, you know, this would be an amazing last run,” White said.

There are three runs left. He is still relevant, all the way to the end. The final will feature not only White, but a lot of tricks that White invented.

Australian Scotty James, a favorite to win here, first competed in the Olympics with White in 2010, when White won his second gold medal.

“I got to see him win that gold medal and then a few other times, and he became my rival,” said James, 27. “It’s a funny evolution from him being someone I looked up to, to then being someone I had to try to show up and beat.”

As White flashed back to his start at age 7, and wondered aloud how he might pay it all forward when he retires from Olympic-level competition, he held his snowboard tight, logo out.

He recently started his own company, called Whitespace, with his brother, although it is unclear just what Whitespace will be. Maybe a company like Burton, selling snowboards (White now rides a Whitespace-branded board) and clothes and such.

But it sounded like White was not going to disappear.

“Just because I’m not competing doesn’t mean I won’t be here at the next Olympics, cheering on all my friends and being a big part of the sport,” he said.

He pulled himself back into the present, back and forth as smoothly as he rides the transition zone between hits in the halfpipe. Minutes before, he had put down another in a line of clutch performances.

He stumbled on the first run, under-rotating a double McTwist 1260, a trick he invented and that has been a part of his Olympic run since 2010. He killed time waiting for his next turn — maybe his last Olympic turn — going up the lifts, riding, thinking.

What if he flubbed the run again? Family was watching at home, worried this was how it would end. Reporters were gathered at the halfpipe, wondering if a fall on a trick he invented would be the sad coda to the sport’s best career.

White landed the trick and the run. There was relief in that.

“I’m living the other version where I actually do what I came here to do and put down some heavy runs in finals, and try to hit that podium,” he said. “I get my shot now.”

He politely excused himself from the cold, the last to leave the base of the pipe, having done an hour’s worth of interviews with television broadcasters and reporters from all over the world.

He seemed to enjoy the attention, and seemed relaxed about what was ahead. None of the people paying attention to snowboarding for the past few years reasonably expect White to win another gold medal. But they know he might.

For the first time, he will be an underdog. But reaching the final put him in an elite class, still separated from most of those he inspired to ride. No matter what happens, White will slide away in his prime, if not quite his peak.

Shaun White was at the bottom of the halfpipe, chatty and relieved, just as the sun was sinking. He was talking about making it through to another Winter Olympics final, two days away, and maybe, just maybe, finishing his career, at 35, with another gold medal.

Shaun White was at the bottom of the halfpipe, chatty and relieved, just as the sun was sinking. He was talking about making it through to another Winter Olympics final, two days away, and maybe, just maybe, finishing his career, at 35, with another gold medal. But he could not help but be nostalgic, too. This is a farewell tour, after all, his fifth and final Olympics, which means that White has three rides left, all on Friday (Thursday night in the United States). He mentioned Jake Burton Carpenter, founder of Burton Snowboards, who died in 2019. Carpenter gave White a snowboard at age 7 and set him on a course to becoming the most famous snowboarder in the world. “Here we are today because of that,” White said. “Maybe I could be that for the next generation.” It was a humble thing to say because White already is that for the next generation. He has been that for a long time. White was one of the last competitors to ride in qualifications on Wednesday. When it was still unclear whether he would advance to the final, other top snowboarders talked about him as a sort of snowplow for their own careers — leading the way for all of them to make a living on a snowboard, to turn the halfpipe into one of the Olympics’ must-see events. How many of them would be here without White? How many cameras would be aimed their way? His rivals spoke of White in the present tense. White is not some creaky antique. He is not here as a favor. He earned his way onto the U.S. team, which is always a challenge. It was during that chase this winter that he realized this would be it. He ended any thoughts of four more years, of the 2026 Olympics in Italy. “I was pretty excited about maybe attempting Italy, but these injuries and then COVID, all these things coming up, I just took it as a sign that, you know, this would be an amazing last run,” White said. There are three runs left. He is still relevant, all the way to the end. The final will feature not only White, but a lot of tricks that White invented. Australian Scotty James, a favorite to win here, first competed in the Olympics with White in 2010, when White won his second gold medal. “I got to see him win that gold medal and then a few other times, and he became my rival,” said James, 27. “It’s a funny evolution from him being someone I looked up to, to then being someone I had to try to show up and beat.” As White flashed back to his start at age 7, and wondered aloud how he might pay it all forward when he retires from Olympic-level competition, he held his snowboard tight, logo out. He recently started his own company, called Whitespace, with his brother, although it is unclear just what Whitespace will be. Maybe a company like Burton, selling snowboards (White now rides a Whitespace-branded board) and clothes and such. But it sounded like White was not going to disappear. “Just because I’m not competing doesn’t mean I won’t be here at the next Olympics, cheering on all my friends and being a big part of the sport,” he said. He pulled himself back into the present, back and forth as smoothly as he rides the transition zone between hits in the halfpipe. Minutes before, he had put down another in a line of clutch performances. He stumbled on the first run, under-rotating a double McTwist 1260, a trick he invented and that has been a part of his Olympic run since 2010. He killed time waiting for his next turn — maybe his last Olympic turn — going up the lifts, riding, thinking. What if he flubbed the run again? Family was watching at home, worried this was how it would end. Reporters were gathered at the halfpipe, wondering if a fall on a trick he invented would be the sad coda to the sport’s best career. White landed the trick and the run. There was relief in that. “I’m living the other version where I actually do what I came here to do and put down some heavy runs in finals, and try to hit that podium,” he said. “I get my shot now.” He politely excused himself from the cold, the last to leave the base of the pipe, having done an hour’s worth of interviews with television broadcasters and reporters from all over the world. He seemed to enjoy the attention, and seemed relaxed about what was ahead. None of the people paying attention to snowboarding for the past few years reasonably expect White to win another gold medal. But they know he might. For the first time, he will be an underdog. But reaching the final put him in an elite class, still separated from most of those he inspired to ride. No matter what happens, White will slide away in his prime, if not quite his peak.

Shaun White, on his farewell tour, prepares to throw his last McTwist

Doping controversy comes back to haunt Russia at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: Here's what we know so far

They were the feel-good story of the Winter Olympics in 2018: young women from a remote farming county who catapulted South Korea to curling glory by winning its first Olympic medal in the sport.

Then, that same year, the team the Korean press had nicknamed the “Garlic Girls” (in a nod to the iconic produce of their region) shocked the country by accusing their coaches of verbal and psychological abuse.

Nine months after their victory at the Games, the team called a surprise news conference during which they aired their grievances against their two coaches and the father of one of the coaches, who was also the vice president of the Korean Curling Federation.

The Garlic Girls said the trio swore at them, berated them if they interacted with other athletes, banned them from using social media and withheld their prize money. They also tried to sideline the team captain, Kim Eun-jung, after learning of her plans to start a family.

“To be honest, I’m not completely sure if we’re over this yet,” Kim Kyeong-ae, a team member, wrote in an email to The New York Times as she prepared for the Beijing Winter Olympics this month.

While some of South Korea’s top athletes have grown used to decades of harsh training and abuse, a younger generation has started to push back, inspired at least in part by the Garlic Girls.

Their news conference helped revive painful discussions about the mistreatment of athletes in South Korea, where nepotism, exploitation and misconduct have been common for decades. Elite sports in the country are notoriously hierarchical, with men often on top and athletes told not to question orders.

In 2008, the government’s National Human Rights Commission said nearly 80% of student athletes in middle and high schools had been subjected to physical and verbal abuse from their coaches and older teammates.

After the Garlic Girls spoke out, there was an outpouring of other accounts of abuse, including from Shim Suk-hee, a member of South Korea’s national short-track speedskating team and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, who said she had been repeatedly raped by her former coach. (Last year he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.)

Several female athletes in judo, taekwondo and wrestling also came forward to accuse their male coaches of sexual abuse.

In February 2019, after an investigation, the government said that most of the allegations made by the Garlic Girls were true. The two coaches and Kim Kyung-doo, the curling official, were banned from the sport for life.

And for the first time, South Korea appointed three foreign coaches to lead the women’s, men’s and mixed double curling teams at the Olympics. The Garlic Girls are set to compete against Canada in Beijing on Thursday in a round-robin match.

“Although we can’t know of and change all the corruption in the sporting world, at least in this sport we can reveal what has been going on in the hopes that it won’t happen again,” Kim Kyeong-ae, 28, wrote in her email.

But those who speak out risk being sidelined or criticized. Coaches have immense control over their athletes, who are recruited at a young age and live in dormitories. Many of them are taken out of school and feel they have no career options if they fail.

Oh Ji-hoon, a former speedskater who has trained in both the United States and South Korea, said that Korean athletes typically don’t question their coaches’ methods of discipline and training because they get used to it from a young age.

“In Korea, training programs are way more intense than those of the U.S.,” Oh said. “There is less leeway, much less flexibility and, candidly, it’s fairly common for coaches to yell at skaters.”

After the curling team went public with their accusations, Peter Gallant, a Canadian coach who guided them to their silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, backed the players.

Gallant is now the team’s head coach, and curling experts say his experience is likely to propel the Garlic Girls to greater heights. The team adores him, referring to him as “Appa,” or father in Korean. In an email, Gallant noted that the level of respect the curlers have for those who are older than them is so high that “nothing is really questioned” during practice.

That is not necessarily good.

“A coach wants his athletes to ask questions,” he added.

Four of the five Garlic Girls come from Uiseong, a farming community and a seemingly unlikely site for a sporting revolution. The rural town of 53,000 people uses a cartoon garlic bulb as the county mascot.

The Garlic Girls have said their previous coaches often made them feel ashamed for not coming from a major city.

“It’s useless training people from the countryside,” they recalled being told.

Uiseong, however, is home to one of South Korea’s first curling facilities, built in 2006 after a former government official saw the sport on a trip to Canada.

Kim Eun-jung, the captain, and currently ranked seventh in the world, fell in love with the sport after trying it during gym class in middle school. She encouraged classmate Kim Yeong-mi to join, followed by her younger sister, Kim Kyeong-ae.

Kim Cho-hi, the only team member not from Uiseong, also started curling in middle school, but in Gyeonggi province, just outside of Seoul.

Because they all have the same surname, the Garlic Girls are also known as Team Kim. To differentiate themselves, each chose a nickname honoring their favorite breakfast food. Kim Eun-jung is “Annie,” the name of a yogurt brand. Kim Yeong-mi is “Pancake,” while her sister, Kyeong-ae, is “Steak.” Kim Cho-hi is “ChoCho,” a nod to chocolate cookies, which she loves to eat for breakfast. Kim Seon-yeong is “Sunny,” for sunny-side-up eggs.

The team was an underdog going into the 2018 Winter Olympics but pulled off upsets against Canada and Switzerland, two curling powerhouses. Almost overnight, the Garlic Girls became a sensation in a country that knew little about curling.

In the past two years, the pandemic has made practice challenging. Several competitions were canceled. And unlike teams from countries where curling has long been popular, the Garlic Girls often must travel abroad for competitions and training, which has meant dealing with quarantines and spending more time away from home.

But Gallant said the team’s experience with their previous coaches prepared them for the future, even with the pandemic. In an interview with Rocks Across the Pond, a curling podcast, he said there was no question that “it created a kind of toughness in them.”

“To do what they did, to make everything public, took a lot of courage and effort,” he said. “No matter what they face now, it’s not going to be as bad as that.”

They were the feel-good story of the Winter Olympics in 2018: young women from a remote farming county who catapulted South Korea to curling glory by winning its first Olympic medal in the sport.

They were the feel-good story of the Winter Olympics in 2018: young women from a remote farming county who catapulted South Korea to curling glory by winning its first Olympic medal in the sport. Then, that same year, the team the Korean press had nicknamed the “Garlic Girls” (in a nod to the iconic produce of their region) shocked the country by accusing their coaches of verbal and psychological abuse. Nine months after their victory at the Games, the team called a surprise news conference during which they aired their grievances against their two coaches and the father of one of the coaches, who was also the vice president of the Korean Curling Federation. The Garlic Girls said the trio swore at them, berated them if they interacted with other athletes, banned them from using social media and withheld their prize money. They also tried to sideline the team captain, Kim Eun-jung, after learning of her plans to start a family. “To be honest, I’m not completely sure if we’re over this yet,” Kim Kyeong-ae, a team member, wrote in an email to The New York Times as she prepared for the Beijing Winter Olympics this month. While some of South Korea’s top athletes have grown used to decades of harsh training and abuse, a younger generation has started to push back, inspired at least in part by the Garlic Girls. Their news conference helped revive painful discussions about the mistreatment of athletes in South Korea, where nepotism, exploitation and misconduct have been common for decades. Elite sports in the country are notoriously hierarchical, with men often on top and athletes told not to question orders. In 2008, the government’s National Human Rights Commission said nearly 80% of student athletes in middle and high schools had been subjected to physical and verbal abuse from their coaches and older teammates. After the Garlic Girls spoke out, there was an outpouring of other accounts of abuse, including from Shim Suk-hee, a member of South Korea’s national short-track speedskating team and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, who said she had been repeatedly raped by her former coach. (Last year he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.) Several female athletes in judo, taekwondo and wrestling also came forward to accuse their male coaches of sexual abuse. In February 2019, after an investigation, the government said that most of the allegations made by the Garlic Girls were true. The two coaches and Kim Kyung-doo, the curling official, were banned from the sport for life. And for the first time, South Korea appointed three foreign coaches to lead the women’s, men’s and mixed double curling teams at the Olympics. The Garlic Girls are set to compete against Canada in Beijing on Thursday in a round-robin match. “Although we can’t know of and change all the corruption in the sporting world, at least in this sport we can reveal what has been going on in the hopes that it won’t happen again,” Kim Kyeong-ae, 28, wrote in her email. But those who speak out risk being sidelined or criticized. Coaches have immense control over their athletes, who are recruited at a young age and live in dormitories. Many of them are taken out of school and feel they have no career options if they fail. Oh Ji-hoon, a former speedskater who has trained in both the United States and South Korea, said that Korean athletes typically don’t question their coaches’ methods of discipline and training because they get used to it from a young age. “In Korea, training programs are way more intense than those of the U.S.,” Oh said. “There is less leeway, much less flexibility and, candidly, it’s fairly common for coaches to yell at skaters.” After the curling team went public with their accusations, Peter Gallant, a Canadian coach who guided them to their silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, backed the players. Gallant is now the team’s head coach, and curling experts say his experience is likely to propel the Garlic Girls to greater heights. The team adores him, referring to him as “Appa,” or father in Korean. In an email, Gallant noted that the level of respect the curlers have for those who are older than them is so high that “nothing is really questioned” during practice. That is not necessarily good. “A coach wants his athletes to ask questions,” he added. Four of the five Garlic Girls come from Uiseong, a farming community and a seemingly unlikely site for a sporting revolution. The rural town of 53,000 people uses a cartoon garlic bulb as the county mascot. The Garlic Girls have said their previous coaches often made them feel ashamed for not coming from a major city. “It’s useless training people from the countryside,” they recalled being told. Uiseong, however, is home to one of South Korea’s first curling facilities, built in 2006 after a former government official saw the sport on a trip to Canada. Kim Eun-jung, the captain, and currently ranked seventh in the world, fell in love with the sport after trying it during gym class in middle school. She encouraged classmate Kim Yeong-mi to join, followed by her younger sister, Kim Kyeong-ae. Kim Cho-hi, the only team member not from Uiseong, also started curling in middle school, but in Gyeonggi province, just outside of Seoul. Because they all have the same surname, the Garlic Girls are also known as Team Kim. To differentiate themselves, each chose a nickname honoring their favorite breakfast food. Kim Eun-jung is “Annie,” the name of a yogurt brand. Kim Yeong-mi is “Pancake,” while her sister, Kyeong-ae, is “Steak.” Kim Cho-hi is “ChoCho,” a nod to chocolate cookies, which she loves to eat for breakfast. Kim Seon-yeong is “Sunny,” for sunny-side-up eggs. The team was an underdog going into the 2018 Winter Olympics but pulled off upsets against Canada and Switzerland, two curling powerhouses. Almost overnight, the Garlic Girls became a sensation in a country that knew little about curling. In the past two years, the pandemic has made practice challenging. Several competitions were canceled. And unlike teams from countries where curling has long been popular, the Garlic Girls often must travel abroad for competitions and training, which has meant dealing with quarantines and spending more time away from home. But Gallant said the team’s experience with their previous coaches prepared them for the future, even with the pandemic. In an interview with Rocks Across the Pond, a curling podcast, he said there was no question that “it created a kind of toughness in them.” “To do what they did, to make everything public, took a lot of courage and effort,” he said. “No matter what they face now, it’s not going to be as bad as that.”

How the ‘Garlic Girls’ overcame abuse to return to the Olympics

Just two days after the opening ceremony, Beijing Winter Olympics organisers are facing a litany of complaints from athletes and countries on multiple fronts.

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 hit by athlete complaints

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Organising Committee said on Monday that 24 new COVID-19 cases were detected among games-related personnel on Feb. 6.

Eleven of the cases were found among new airport arrivals, according to a notice on the Beijing 2022 official website.

Thirteen others were among those already in the “closed-loop” bubble that separates all event personnel from the public, five of whom were classified as either an athlete or team official, the notice said.

&nbsp;

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Organising Committee said on Monday that 24 new COVID-19 cases were detected among games-related personnel on Feb. 6. Eleven of the cases were found among new airport arrivals, according to a notice on the Beijing 2022 official website.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Organising Committee said on Monday that 24 new COVID-19 cases were detected among games-related personnel on Feb. 6. Eleven of the cases were found among new airport arrivals, according to a notice on the Beijing 2022 official website. Thirteen others were among those already in the “closed-loop” bubble that separates all event personnel from the public, five of whom were classified as either an athlete or team official, the notice said.

Beijing Olympics organiser says 24 new COVID-19 cases amongst games-related personnel on Feb 6

Chinese President Xi Jinping has supported the governments from around the world who support Beijing Winter Olympics.

Beijing mixes sports with Politics: President Xi Jinping hosts world leaders

A sharp drop in COVID-19 cases on Feb. 5 among Beijing Olympics-related personnel was due to fewer arrivals at the airport and organisers said on Sunday that they did not expect any more large fluctuations in infection numbers.

China detected 10 new COVID cases among Olympic Games-related personnel on Feb. 5, the organising committee of the Games said. That was down from Feb. 4`s 45 cases - the second-highest daily tally since arrivals commenced last month.

Among the latest cases, four were new airport arrivals, including two athletes or team officials. The remaining six were already in the "closed loop", a bubble keeping Games personnel away from the local population during the Feb. 4-20 Olympics.

"With an increased number of arrivals there were more positive cases," Huang Chun, the Games` deputy director-general of the office of pandemic prevention and control, told a news conference.

"After the (Games`) opening ceremony on Friday there is a drop in arrivals and we have even less inbound flights which means there will be fewer positive cases.

"We hope that we can keep that trend going and there might be just minor fluctuations."

While reduced arrivals mean a lower risk of infected individuals entering the country, organisers said measures within the "closed loop" should remain tight to avoid any internal spread.

"We have to pay attention to measures in the closed loop. We do not see any cluster spread and so far it has not affected the smooth progress of the competitions," Huang said.

While competitions have not been seriously affected, dozens of athletes have already tested positive and moved into isolation, affecting their preparations and training.

"If we all follow the countermeasures I believe the level of positive cases will remain at relatively low levels," Huang said.

Almost all of the 2,900 athletes expected at the Games have arrived as well as most of the team support and coaching staff.

In contrast to many countries seeking to live with COVID-19, China has isolated itself with a zero-tolerance policy, cancelling nearly all international flights.

All Games participants - athletes, team officials, media and staff - arrive on special charter flights and are tested on a daily basis during their stay. They must also remain in the loop, which includes their accommodation as well as the sports venues, at all times.

A sharp drop in COVID-19 cases on Feb. 5 among Beijing Olympics-related personnel was due to fewer arrivals at the airport and organisers said on Sunday that they did not expect any more large fluctuations in infection numbers.

A sharp drop in COVID-19 cases on Feb. 5 among Beijing Olympics-related personnel was due to fewer arrivals at the airport and organisers said on Sunday that they did not expect any more large fluctuations in infection numbers. China detected 10 new COVID cases among Olympic Games-related personnel on Feb. 5, the organising committee of the Games said. That was down from Feb. 4`s 45 cases - the second-highest daily tally since arrivals commenced last month. Among the latest cases, four were new airport arrivals, including two athletes or team officials. The remaining six were already in the "closed loop", a bubble keeping Games personnel away from the local population during the Feb. 4-20 Olympics. "With an increased number of arrivals there were more positive cases," Huang Chun, the Games` deputy director-general of the office of pandemic prevention and control, told a news conference. "After the (Games`) opening ceremony on Friday there is a drop in arrivals and we have even less inbound flights which means there will be fewer positive cases. "We hope that we can keep that trend going and there might be just minor fluctuations." While reduced arrivals mean a lower risk of infected individuals entering the country, organisers said measures within the "closed loop" should remain tight to avoid any internal spread. "We have to pay attention to measures in the closed loop. We do not see any cluster spread and so far it has not affected the smooth progress of the competitions," Huang said. While competitions have not been seriously affected, dozens of athletes have already tested positive and moved into isolation, affecting their preparations and training. "If we all follow the countermeasures I believe the level of positive cases will remain at relatively low levels," Huang said. Almost all of the 2,900 athletes expected at the Games have arrived as well as most of the team support and coaching staff. In contrast to many countries seeking to live with COVID-19, China has isolated itself with a zero-tolerance policy, cancelling nearly all international flights. All Games participants - athletes, team officials, media and staff - arrive on special charter flights and are tested on a daily basis during their stay. They must also remain in the loop, which includes their accommodation as well as the sports venues, at all times.

No large fluctuations in COVID-19 cases expected, say Beijing Winter Olympics organisers

A week ago, Taiwan said it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Then the island democracy reversed its decision, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee.

In at first declining, Taiwanese officials had pointed to inconvenient flight schedules and pandemic restrictions. But they are also engaged in a political rivalry with Beijing over the Olympics, embodied in one persistent issue: the name of Taiwan’s delegation.

Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its territory, has for decades been compelled to compete in international sports events as “Chinese Taipei” rather than as Taiwan or under its formal name, Republic of China. The International Olympic Committee’s rules prohibit delegations from Taiwan from using any symbols suggesting that the island is a sovereign nation.

When Taiwan said on Monday that it had decided to take part in the opening ceremony, officials from the island urged China not to try to use the Games to suppress Taiwan. They did not go into specifics, but some Taiwanese officials worry that Beijing might use the Games to undermine the island’s status.

The dispute centres on the Chinese rendering of the Taiwanese delegation’s name, “Chinese Taipei.” Officially, the delegation’s Chinese name is Zhonghua Taipei. But officials on the mainland often refer to the Taiwanese delegation as Zhongguo Taipei. Zhongguo is the Chinese name for China; referring to the Taiwanese delegation as such implies that the athletes and the island they represent are part of China.

In 2008, when the Taiwan delegation marched into the National Stadium in Beijing for the Summer Olympics, the event’s Chinese announcer stuck to the official version of the delegation’s name. But relations between the two sides have since deteriorated, and concerns have grown that this time, China might use the ceremonies as an opportunity to assert its claim over Taiwan.

On Friday, the island’s delegation will not get to use the name Taiwan on their national team uniforms, sing their anthem or carry the island’s flag during the opening ceremony.

“I actually feel a bit disappointed that I can’t compete with the name of Taiwan,” Lin Sin-rong, a luger who is competing in Beijing, said in January. “When it comes to China, I do what I should and keep what I shouldn’t say in my heart.”

A week ago, Taiwan said it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Then the island democracy reversed its decision, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee.

A week ago, Taiwan said it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing. Then the island democracy reversed its decision, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee. In at first declining, Taiwanese officials had pointed to inconvenient flight schedules and pandemic restrictions. But they are also engaged in a political rivalry with Beijing over the Olympics, embodied in one persistent issue: the name of Taiwan’s delegation. Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its territory, has for decades been compelled to compete in international sports events as “Chinese Taipei” rather than as Taiwan or under its formal name, Republic of China. The International Olympic Committee’s rules prohibit delegations from Taiwan from using any symbols suggesting that the island is a sovereign nation. When Taiwan said on Monday that it had decided to take part in the opening ceremony, officials from the island urged China not to try to use the Games to suppress Taiwan. They did not go into specifics, but some Taiwanese officials worry that Beijing might use the Games to undermine the island’s status. The dispute centres on the Chinese rendering of the Taiwanese delegation’s name, “Chinese Taipei.” Officially, the delegation’s Chinese name is Zhonghua Taipei. But officials on the mainland often refer to the Taiwanese delegation as Zhongguo Taipei. Zhongguo is the Chinese name for China; referring to the Taiwanese delegation as such implies that the athletes and the island they represent are part of China. In 2008, when the Taiwan delegation marched into the National Stadium in Beijing for the Summer Olympics, the event’s Chinese announcer stuck to the official version of the delegation’s name. But relations between the two sides have since deteriorated, and concerns have grown that this time, China might use the ceremonies as an opportunity to assert its claim over Taiwan. On Friday, the island’s delegation will not get to use the name Taiwan on their national team uniforms, sing their anthem or carry the island’s flag during the opening ceremony. “I actually feel a bit disappointed that I can’t compete with the name of Taiwan,” Lin Sin-rong, a luger who is competing in Beijing, said in January. “When it comes to China, I do what I should and keep what I shouldn’t say in my heart.”

What’s in a name? For Taiwan, a lot

Chinese President Xi Jinping support the governments who support Beijing Winter Olympics

Beijing Winter Games have kicked off while china may be lauding its zero COVID-19 strategies, its officials drag away a reporter.

Chinese officials drag away Dutch reporter as Winter Olympics are underway in Beijing

As Beijing winter games have begun officially, protests against the games were held across the world. In San Francisco a coalition of groups including people from Hong Kong, Tibet and Uyghurs gathered at the golden gate bridge and urged people not to watch the games.

Global protests rage against Beijing Winter Olympics

Taiwan alleges an insult to the spirit of winter Olympics as China holds the Beijing-Moscow summit amid the tainted Human Rights record of the Chinese nation.

Taiwan condemns China-Russia summit & alleges it is an insult to the spirit of Olympic games

The Olympic games in Beijing are all set to kick off today but for journalists and officials arriving in china the scenes are much like a dystopian movie here's why!

Inside Beijing's Olympic bubble: Robots are spraying disinfectant

The 2022 Winter Olympics got underway in Beijing on Friday with 31-year-old Arif Khan from the Kashmir valley carrying the Indian tri-color at the opening ceremony.

31-year-old Arif Khan, the only Indian to qualify for 2022 Winter Olympics

The Beijing Winter Olympics are officially underway, but Chinese authorities have demonstrated to the rest of the world that they will not permit any form of free press even during the games.

In an incredible clip from the Dutch broadcaster, one of the reporters covering the Games in Beijing is shown being manhandled by a security guard wearing a red armband.

Sjoerd den Daas, the reporter, attempted to continue his show while being held and screamed at by the guard, but NOS cut away to the studio.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijings-genocide-games-kick-off-amid-backlash-from-all-across-the-world-450560">Also read | Beijing's 'Genocide Games' kick off amid backlash from all across the world</a>

Sjoerd den Daas tried to resume his broadcast but was yanked away in what appears to be one of China's latest intimidation tactics aimed at international journalists. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-recognises-taiwan-as-part-of-china-opposes-islands-independence-450437">Also read |&nbsp;Russia recognises Taiwan as part of China, opposes island's independence</a>

In a Twitter post, Dutch broadcaster NOS wrote: "Our correspondent [den Daas] was pulled away from the camera by security guards at 12:00 pm live in the NOS Journaal. Unfortunately, this is increasingly becoming a daily reality for journalists in China. He is fine and was able to finish his story a few minutes later."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Onze correspondent <a href="https://twitter.com/sjoerddendaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sjoerddendaas</a> werd om 12.00u live in het NOS Journaal door beveiligers voor de camera weggetrokken. Helaas is dit steeds vaker de dagelijkse realiteit voor journalisten in China. Hij is in orde en kon zijn verhaal gelukkig een paar minuten later afmaken <a href="https://t.co/GLTZRlZV96">pic.twitter.com/GLTZRlZV96</a>
— NOS (@NOS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOS/status/1489578149507698689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to the Daily Beast, the journalist's report was not photogenic enough because Mr. den Daas was shooting on a poorly lit street rather than the fashionable Bird's Nest stadium.

According to The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China's (FCCC) recent Media Freedoms report from last month, foreign journalists are "facing unprecedented hurdles" as a result of the "government's efforts to prevent and discredit independent reporting."&nbsp;

(With inputs from&nbsp;agencies)

The Beijing Winter Olympics are officially underway, but Chinese authorities have demonstrated to the rest of the world that they will not permit any form of free press even during the games.

The Beijing Winter Olympics are officially underway, but Chinese authorities have demonstrated to the rest of the world that they will not permit any form of free press even during the games. In an incredible clip from the Dutch broadcaster, one of the reporters covering the Games in Beijing is shown being manhandled by a security guard wearing a red armband. Sjoerd den Daas, the reporter, attempted to continue his show while being held and screamed at by the guard, but NOS cut away to the studio. Also read | Beijing's 'Genocide Games' kick off amid backlash from all across the world Sjoerd den Daas tried to resume his broadcast but was yanked away in what appears to be one of China's latest intimidation tactics aimed at international journalists. Also read | Russia recognises Taiwan as part of China, opposes island's independence In a Twitter post, Dutch broadcaster NOS wrote: "Our correspondent [den Daas] was pulled away from the camera by security guards at 12:00 pm live in the NOS Journaal. Unfortunately, this is increasingly becoming a daily reality for journalists in China. He is fine and was able to finish his story a few minutes later." Onze correspondent @sjoerddendaas werd om 12.00u live in het NOS Journaal door beveiligers voor de camera weggetrokken. Helaas is dit steeds vaker de dagelijkse realiteit voor journalisten in China. Hij is in orde en kon zijn verhaal gelukkig een paar minuten later afmaken pic.twitter.com/GLTZRlZV96 — NOS (@NOS) February 4, 2022 × According to the Daily Beast, the journalist's report was not photogenic enough because Mr. den Daas was shooting on a poorly lit street rather than the fashionable Bird's Nest stadium. According to The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China's (FCCC) recent Media Freedoms report from last month, foreign journalists are "facing unprecedented hurdles" as a result of the "government's efforts to prevent and discredit independent reporting." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Chinese communist workers drag journalist away on live TV at Beijing Winter Olympics

As China kicks off the Winter Olympics on Friday, state-run Global Times reported that the Omicron variant has spread to more cities after a resurgence in Hangzhou.

Chinese officials are concerned over the spread of the virus to new areas ahead of the Spring Festival as Hangzhou detected 30 new domestically transmitted Omicron variant cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-researchers-claim-to-have-discovered-a-godsend-antibody-that-can-defeat-omicron-450057">Also Read:&nbsp;Chinese researchers claim to have discovered a 'godsend' antibody that can defeat Omicron</a>

The virus has now spread to Anshun in Southwest China's Guizhou, the Chinese daily said adding that Huanggang in central China's Hubei has also been affected as officials battle against Omicron flare-ups.

The Chinese newspaper quoting experts reported that the latest outbreak occurred after migrant workers returned home for the spring festival with several put on "collective quarantine".

The authorities have put new measures in place including seven days of "collective quarantine" and seven days of home quarantine while also ordering nucleic acid tests.

Watch:&nbsp;China's Olympics bubble turns virus hotspot

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinas-olympics-bubble-turns-virus-hotspot-449983/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China has been following the "zero Covid" policy, however, it has witnessed a surge in coronavirus since September last year with the Delta variant spreading rapidly. However, in recent weeks the Omicron variant has increasingly worried health officials.

As the Winter Olympics begins in Beijing, at least 21 new coronavirus COVID-19 infections were detected among Winter Olympic personnel. Winter Olympics officials said an Australian athlete was isolated with every official being repeatedly tested.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-china-summoned-over-suspected-fraud-449141">Also Read:&nbsp;AstraZeneca China summoned over suspected fraud</a>

China had put large population in several cities under lockdown after the Delta variant began spreading last year. The health officials have also been conducting mass testing in areas witnessing with local COVID-19 flareups while closing down neighbourhoods.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As China kicks off the Winter Olympics on Friday, state-run Global Times reported that the Omicron variant has spread to more cities after a resurgence in Hangzhou.

As China kicks off the Winter Olympics on Friday, state-run Global Times reported that the Omicron variant has spread to more cities after a resurgence in Hangzhou. Chinese officials are concerned over the spread of the virus to new areas ahead of the Spring Festival as Hangzhou detected 30 new domestically transmitted Omicron variant cases. Also Read: Chinese researchers claim to have discovered a 'godsend' antibody that can defeat Omicron The virus has now spread to Anshun in Southwest China's Guizhou, the Chinese daily said adding that Huanggang in central China's Hubei has also been affected as officials battle against Omicron flare-ups. The Chinese newspaper quoting experts reported that the latest outbreak occurred after migrant workers returned home for the spring festival with several put on "collective quarantine". The authorities have put new measures in place including seven days of "collective quarantine" and seven days of home quarantine while also ordering nucleic acid tests. Watch: China's Olympics bubble turns virus hotspot China has been following the "zero Covid" policy, however, it has witnessed a surge in coronavirus since September last year with the Delta variant spreading rapidly. However, in recent weeks the Omicron variant has increasingly worried health officials. As the Winter Olympics begins in Beijing, at least 21 new coronavirus COVID-19 infections were detected among Winter Olympic personnel. Winter Olympics officials said an Australian athlete was isolated with every official being repeatedly tested. Also Read: AstraZeneca China summoned over suspected fraud China had put large population in several cities under lockdown after the Delta variant began spreading last year. The health officials have also been conducting mass testing in areas witnessing with local COVID-19 flareups while closing down neighbourhoods. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ahead of spring festival, China battles Omicron variant surge in cities

Kamalturk Yalqun was one of several students chosen to help carry the Olympic flame ahead of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Today, he is an activist in the United States calling for a boycott of the Winter Games over China’s treatment of his Uyghur ethnic community.

Kamalturk Yalqun-Once a torchbearer now calls for boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

A cross country skier born in Xinjiang was one of two final torchbearers who ended the Olympic opening ceremony by sending a flame into the sky on a giant snowflake.

Dinigeer Yilamujiang, from Altay, Xinjiang, and Zhao Jiawen, a 21-year-old biathlete, delivered the flame.

Yilamujiang, 21, is the first Chinese cross-country skiing medallist at any FIS-level event and is a medal hopeful in a sport in which China has not traditionally excelled.

The selection of Yilamujiang as a final torchbearer came as many western nations diplomatically boycotted the Winter Games over China`s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. China denies human rights abuses.

A cross country skier born in Xinjiang was one of two final torchbearers who ended the Olympic opening ceremony by sending a flame into the sky on a giant snowflake.

A cross country skier born in Xinjiang was one of two final torchbearers who ended the Olympic opening ceremony by sending a flame into the sky on a giant snowflake. Dinigeer Yilamujiang, from Altay, Xinjiang, and Zhao Jiawen, a 21-year-old biathlete, delivered the flame. Yilamujiang, 21, is the first Chinese cross-country skiing medallist at any FIS-level event and is a medal hopeful in a sport in which China has not traditionally excelled. The selection of Yilamujiang as a final torchbearer came as many western nations diplomatically boycotted the Winter Games over China`s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. China denies human rights abuses.

Uyghur athlete final torchbearer at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 opening ceremony

Ahead of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The Russian president hailed the relationship between the two countries describing them as "unprecedented nature and an example of a dignified relationship". It is Putin's first overseas visit of the year even as he faces escalating tensions with the West over Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-had-voiced-concerns-over-chinas-pattern-of-intimidating-neighbours-us-on-galwan-soldier-row-450307">Also Read |&nbsp;We had voiced concerns over China's pattern of intimidating neighbours: US&nbsp;</a>

The Russian president met his Chinese counterpart in the first face-to-face meeting in nearly two years. President Xi on the other hand hasn't left China since January 2020 as the coronavirus took hold in the country. Both leaders will be attending the Olympic opening ceremony later today.

Watch:&nbsp;Kamalturk Yalqun-Once a torchbearer now calls for boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kamalturk-yalqun-once-a-torchbearer-now-calls-for-boycott-of-beijing-winter-olympics-2022-450325/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

President Xi is now set to meet over&nbsp;twenty world leaders during the Winter Olympics. Ahead of his meeting with Xi, Putin described the Chinese president as "good friends and politicians who share many common views". US, Australia and Canada had already announced a diplomatic boycott over the event amid protests over China reported poor human rights record.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-beijing-olympics-to-indo-pak-series-when-politics-and-sports-collided-449879">Also Read |&nbsp;From Beijing Olympics to Indo-Pak series: When politics and sports collided</a>

"Our oilmen have prepared very good new solutions for the supply of hydrocarbons to China," the Russian president announced while announcing that Russia will supply 10 billion cubic meters of gas to China from the Russian Far East.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Ahead of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The Russian president hailed the relationship between the two countries describing them as "unprecedented nature and an example of a dignified relationship".

Ahead of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The Russian president hailed the relationship between the two countries describing them as "unprecedented nature and an example of a dignified relationship". It is Putin's first overseas visit of the year even as he faces escalating tensions with the West over Ukraine. Also Read | We had voiced concerns over China's pattern of intimidating neighbours: US The Russian president met his Chinese counterpart in the first face-to-face meeting in nearly two years. President Xi on the other hand hasn't left China since January 2020 as the coronavirus took hold in the country. Both leaders will be attending the Olympic opening ceremony later today. Watch: Kamalturk Yalqun-Once a torchbearer now calls for boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 President Xi is now set to meet over twenty world leaders during the Winter Olympics. Ahead of his meeting with Xi, Putin described the Chinese president as "good friends and politicians who share many common views". US, Australia and Canada had already announced a diplomatic boycott over the event amid protests over China reported poor human rights record. Also Read | From Beijing Olympics to Indo-Pak series: When politics and sports collided "Our oilmen have prepared very good new solutions for the supply of hydrocarbons to China," the Russian president announced while announcing that Russia will supply 10 billion cubic meters of gas to China from the Russian Far East. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Example of dignified relationship': Ahead of Winter Olympic ceremony, Putin meets Xi in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin is all set to visit China for the upcoming winter Olympics. Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will have lunch on Friday and Putin will also attend the winter Olympics opening ceremony. Russia and China are all set to discuss greater gas and also financial cooperation.

Putin and Xi Jinping to meet ahead Beijing Winter Olympics

The Czech Republic`s David Krejci, one of the biggest names in the Olympic men`s ice hockey tournament, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Beijing on Thursday.

Krejci, who logged 1,118 regular season and playoff games in the National Hockey League and won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins before returning to play in the Czech Extraliga this season, was isolating in his room in the athletes village while the team practised.

Two other members of the Czech squad, forward Tomas Hyka and goaltender Simon Hrubec, also produced positive tests.

"He (Krejci) was positive when coming over to the Olympic village, but the same thing happened to Hyka the first day, so I strongly believe that tomorrow his numbers are going to be all right and he`s going to join the practice," said coach Filip Pesan after putting his men through a brisk training session.

Read Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/beijing-olympics-champion-mikael-kingsbury-leads-moguls-qualifiers-in-freestyle-skiing-450198">Beijing Olympics: Champion Mikael Kingsbury leads moguls qualifiers in Freestyle skiing</a>

"But today his numbers were not so good, so we just kept him safe. We kept him in the room and we`re going to re-test him tonight and re-test him tomorrow morning, and I strongly believe that he`s going to join the practice tomorrow." 
Rated strong medal contenders, the Czechs face off on Wednesday against Denmark.

A COVID-19 outbreak has also hit the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) women`s team with six members in isolation after producing positive tests.

The ROC practised on Thursday without the isolating players and are scheduled to play their Games opener on Friday against Switzerland.

"We aren’t in contact with anyone in the Olympic Village," Russian head coach Evgeny Bobariko said. "Nobody goes anywhere.

"Everyone sits in their rooms, food is brought to them. We only leave our rooms to get tested. We are not allowed to use the elevator, everyone goes down using the stairs."

The RIA news agency reported that the six Russian players in isolation are Angelina Goncharenko, Olga Sosina, Lyudmila Belyakova, Ekaterina Nikolayeva, Diana Fakhrutdinova and Liana Ganeyeva.

The Czech Republic`s David Krejci, one of the biggest names in the Olympic men`s ice hockey tournament, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Beijing on Thursday.

The Czech Republic`s David Krejci, one of the biggest names in the Olympic men`s ice hockey tournament, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Beijing on Thursday. Krejci, who logged 1,118 regular season and playoff games in the National Hockey League and won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins before returning to play in the Czech Extraliga this season, was isolating in his room in the athletes village while the team practised. Two other members of the Czech squad, forward Tomas Hyka and goaltender Simon Hrubec, also produced positive tests. "He (Krejci) was positive when coming over to the Olympic village, but the same thing happened to Hyka the first day, so I strongly believe that tomorrow his numbers are going to be all right and he`s going to join the practice," said coach Filip Pesan after putting his men through a brisk training session. Read Also | Beijing Olympics: Champion Mikael Kingsbury leads moguls qualifiers in Freestyle skiing "But today his numbers were not so good, so we just kept him safe. We kept him in the room and we`re going to re-test him tonight and re-test him tomorrow morning, and I strongly believe that he`s going to join the practice tomorrow." Rated strong medal contenders, the Czechs face off on Wednesday against Denmark. A COVID-19 outbreak has also hit the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) women`s team with six members in isolation after producing positive tests. The ROC practised on Thursday without the isolating players and are scheduled to play their Games opener on Friday against Switzerland. "We aren’t in contact with anyone in the Olympic Village," Russian head coach Evgeny Bobariko said. "Nobody goes anywhere. "Everyone sits in their rooms, food is brought to them. We only leave our rooms to get tested. We are not allowed to use the elevator, everyone goes down using the stairs." The RIA news agency reported that the six Russian players in isolation are Angelina Goncharenko, Olga Sosina, Lyudmila Belyakova, Ekaterina Nikolayeva, Diana Fakhrutdinova and Liana Ganeyeva.

Beijing 2022: Czech Republic Ice hockey player David Krejci isolating after positive COVID test

Slamming China for politicising the Winter Olympics, India on Thursday announced that its Chargé d' Affaires (Cd’A) will not be attending the opening and&nbsp;closing ceremonies&nbsp;of the Games in Beijing.

This comes a day after a regiment commander of the People’s Liberation Army, who fought against India in the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, was made the torchbearer during the Olympics relay on Wednesday.

The images of Qi Fabao were shared in a tweet by the Global Times, an English news outlet associated with the Chinese Communist Party.

In response to WION’s question at the weekly presser, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like Olympics. I wish to inform you that India’s Chargé d' Affaires in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremonies&nbsp;of the Beijing Olympics.”

Acquino Vimal is India's Cd’A in Beijing and the new Indian envoy Pradeep Rawat is yet to present his credentials.

China's aggressive actions in Galwan in eastern Ladakh led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. China claimed to have lost only 4 of its soldiers, but new estimates that have emerged show the number could be much higher.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mixing-sports-with-politics-chinese-soldier-involved-in-galwan-clash-becomes-torchbearer-at-winter-olympics-449839">Mixing sports with politics? Chinese soldier involved in Galwan clash becomes torchbearer at Winter Olympics</a>

Since then, the ties have gone downhill even as China continues to provoke, including through its embassy in Delhi, by writing letters to Indian MPs for participating in the Tibet event.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: PLA soldier from Galwan clashes turns Olympics torchbearer

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pla-soldier-from-galwan-clashes-turns-olympics-torchbearer-449976/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics, which is due to begin on Friday, has seen diplomatic boycott by a number of countries, especially the West. Only one Indian athlete will be present at the games.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-suffered-a-huge-loss-in-the-galwan-valley-clash-fabricated-stories-to-the-world-australian-newspaper-449997">China suffered a huge loss in the Galwan Valley clash, ‘fabricated’ stories to the world: Australian newspaper</a>

Most of the leaders attending the opening ceremony are China's allies or partners. Among them are Russian President Putin, Pakistani PM Imran Khan and leaders of all five Central Asian Countries.

China has been using the Games to showcase normalcy in the country amid the Covid crisis.

Activists are even calling it "genocide games" over China's human rights abuses in the restive western province of Xinjiang.

Slamming China for politicising the Winter Olympics, India on Thursday announced that its Chargé d' Affaires (Cd’A) will not be attending the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games in Beijing.

Slamming China for politicising the Winter Olympics, India on Thursday announced that its Chargé d' Affaires (Cd’A) will not be attending the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games in Beijing. This comes a day after a regiment commander of the People’s Liberation Army, who fought against India in the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, was made the torchbearer during the Olympics relay on Wednesday. The images of Qi Fabao were shared in a tweet by the Global Times, an English news outlet associated with the Chinese Communist Party. In response to WION’s question at the weekly presser, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like Olympics. I wish to inform you that India’s Chargé d' Affaires in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.” Acquino Vimal is India's Cd’A in Beijing and the new Indian envoy Pradeep Rawat is yet to present his credentials. China's aggressive actions in Galwan in eastern Ladakh led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. China claimed to have lost only 4 of its soldiers, but new estimates that have emerged show the number could be much higher. Also read | Mixing sports with politics? Chinese soldier involved in Galwan clash becomes torchbearer at Winter Olympics Since then, the ties have gone downhill even as China continues to provoke, including through its embassy in Delhi, by writing letters to Indian MPs for participating in the Tibet event. Watch | Gravitas: PLA soldier from Galwan clashes turns Olympics torchbearer Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics, which is due to begin on Friday, has seen diplomatic boycott by a number of countries, especially the West. Only one Indian athlete will be present at the games. Also read | China suffered a huge loss in the Galwan Valley clash, ‘fabricated’ stories to the world: Australian newspaper Most of the leaders attending the opening ceremony are China's allies or partners. Among them are Russian President Putin, Pakistani PM Imran Khan and leaders of all five Central Asian Countries. China has been using the Games to showcase normalcy in the country amid the Covid crisis. Activists are even calling it "genocide games" over China's human rights abuses in the restive western province of Xinjiang.

Galwan soldier row: India's top diplomat in China not to attend Beijing Winter Olympics ceremonies

Defending champion Mikael Kingsbury of Canada easily beat his rivals to lead the Olympic men`s freestyle moguls qualifying on Thursday, ahead of Sweden`s Walter Wallberg and France`s Benjamin Cavet.

Kingsbury, who won the gold medal in Pyeongchang four years ago and silver at the 2014 Sochi Games, soared to a high score of 81.15 points, flying over the course in just over 24 seconds.

"I know it`s not my best skiing, but for today I didn`t try to do too much, I did exactly what I wanted and I am very satisfied with the result," he said, adding he would be back for the final "stronger".

Wallberg picked up 79.12 points, but the Swede assured he was holding something back. Calling his first run "solid", Wallberg was pleased with his smooth performance, making a heart sign to the cameras at the bottom of the course.

Read Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/six-russian-womens-ice-hockey-players-in-isolation-after-covid-positive-tests-450176">Six Russian women's ice hockey players in isolation after Covid positive tests</a>

"Plans for the finals is to ski a bit faster and add an extra spin at the bottom ... just to push a bit more," the 21-year-old said. 
Japan and Sweden each got two skiers into the top 10.

Daichi Hara, who won bronze in Pyeongchang, said he felt immense pressure.

"The fact that it was my second time and the added title of being a medallist was weighing on me and I felt like I couldn`t have fun until the very beginning," Hara told reporters.

"That`s why I tried to smile as much as possible at the top and kept telling myself `have fun, have fun` and I was able to do just that."

The top 10 skiers from the first round of qualifying automatically advance to the final, with a second round of qualifiers to be held on Saturday.

Defending champion Mikael Kingsbury of Canada easily beat his rivals to lead the Olympic men`s freestyle moguls qualifying on Thursday, ahead of Sweden`s Walter Wallberg and France`s Benjamin Cavet.

Defending champion Mikael Kingsbury of Canada easily beat his rivals to lead the Olympic men`s freestyle moguls qualifying on Thursday, ahead of Sweden`s Walter Wallberg and France`s Benjamin Cavet. Kingsbury, who won the gold medal in Pyeongchang four years ago and silver at the 2014 Sochi Games, soared to a high score of 81.15 points, flying over the course in just over 24 seconds. "I know it`s not my best skiing, but for today I didn`t try to do too much, I did exactly what I wanted and I am very satisfied with the result," he said, adding he would be back for the final "stronger". Wallberg picked up 79.12 points, but the Swede assured he was holding something back. Calling his first run "solid", Wallberg was pleased with his smooth performance, making a heart sign to the cameras at the bottom of the course. Read Also | Six Russian women's ice hockey players in isolation after Covid positive tests "Plans for the finals is to ski a bit faster and add an extra spin at the bottom ... just to push a bit more," the 21-year-old said. Japan and Sweden each got two skiers into the top 10. Daichi Hara, who won bronze in Pyeongchang, said he felt immense pressure. "The fact that it was my second time and the added title of being a medallist was weighing on me and I felt like I couldn`t have fun until the very beginning," Hara told reporters. "That`s why I tried to smile as much as possible at the top and kept telling myself `have fun, have fun` and I was able to do just that." The top 10 skiers from the first round of qualifying automatically advance to the final, with a second round of qualifiers to be held on Saturday.

Beijing Olympics: Champion Mikael Kingsbury leads moguls qualifiers in Freestyle skiing

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will meet Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai inside the `closed loop` of the Beijing Olympics, he said on Thursday.

The well-being of Peng, a former world number one doubles player, became a matter of concern in November when she alleged on social media that a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her.

The closed loop is a zone all Games participants are restricted to in order to avoid a spread of the coronavirus infection in Beijing. The Games officially open on Friday.

Last month Peng said she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her and that the post she made had been misunderstood. Zhang has not commented on the matter.

The IOC has held several video calls with Peng in past weeks and Bach said a planned meeting would go ahead at the Feb. 4-20 Games.

Read Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/winter-olympics-belgian-skeleton-racers-tearful-video-in-isolation-permits-her-release-watch-450117">Winter Olympics: Belgian skeleton racer's tearful video in isolation permits her release - WATCH</a>

"We know from her explanations ... that she is living in Beijing, that she can move freely, spending time with family and friends," Bach told a news conference.

"Now we will be able to do the next step in a personal meeting to convince us in person of her well-being and state of mind." 
Bach said if Peng wanted her allegations to be investigated he would support her.

"If she wants to have an inquiry we would also support her in this. But it`s her life, it`s her allegations," Bach said. "We will know more about her physical integrity and mental state when we meet her in person."

The IOC has had several phone calls with the player in recent months but international concerns over her safety and well-being have not been allayed.

The Women`s Tennis Association (WTA) has suspended tournaments in China due to its concerns over Peng`s safety. China has not directly commented on Peng`s initial post but said after the WTA`s move that it "opposes the politicisation of sports".

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will meet Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai inside the `closed loop` of the Beijing Olympics, he said on Thursday.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will meet Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai inside the `closed loop` of the Beijing Olympics, he said on Thursday. The well-being of Peng, a former world number one doubles player, became a matter of concern in November when she alleged on social media that a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her. The closed loop is a zone all Games participants are restricted to in order to avoid a spread of the coronavirus infection in Beijing. The Games officially open on Friday. Last month Peng said she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her and that the post she made had been misunderstood. Zhang has not commented on the matter. The IOC has held several video calls with Peng in past weeks and Bach said a planned meeting would go ahead at the Feb. 4-20 Games. Read Also | Winter Olympics: Belgian skeleton racer's tearful video in isolation permits her release - WATCH "We know from her explanations ... that she is living in Beijing, that she can move freely, spending time with family and friends," Bach told a news conference. "Now we will be able to do the next step in a personal meeting to convince us in person of her well-being and state of mind." Bach said if Peng wanted her allegations to be investigated he would support her. "If she wants to have an inquiry we would also support her in this. But it`s her life, it`s her allegations," Bach said. "We will know more about her physical integrity and mental state when we meet her in person." The IOC has had several phone calls with the player in recent months but international concerns over her safety and well-being have not been allayed. The Women`s Tennis Association (WTA) has suspended tournaments in China due to its concerns over Peng`s safety. China has not directly commented on Peng`s initial post but said after the WTA`s move that it "opposes the politicisation of sports".

'Closed loop' meeting between IOC President Thomas Bach and Peng Shuai

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