Chinese Media: "Beijing Olympics Gave Hope to the World"... Foreign Press Criticizes as "Scandal Olympics"

Chinese Media: "This Olympics Concluded Amid Joy and Praise"

The phrase 'ONE WORLD ONE FAMILY' was displayed at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics held at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, on the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics came to a close, Chinese media praised the event as a "successfully held Olympics," showering self-congratulations. However, major foreign media such as the United States harshly criticized it as a 'scandal Olympics,' saying it "deviated from the Olympic spirit."

On the 21st, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, in an editorial, highly praised, "the smooth success of the Beijing Winter Olympics has instilled confidence and hope in a world suffering from infectious diseases."

It continued, "Let us keep the Olympic spirit in mind, jointly safeguard world peace, and unite with the Olympic spirit to respond to the common challenges of the international community."

China Central (CC) TV also emphasized in a commentary, "Beijing is the world's first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics," and "China perfectly fulfilled its promise for the Winter Olympics, and Beijing left a brilliant mark in Olympic history."

The media also praised, "The Winter Olympics united people worldwide under the Olympic rings through the power of sports," and "It showed the responsibility of a major power committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind, inspiring faith and strength so that people of all countries can overcome difficulties and realize their dreams."

China's state-run Global Times also praised in an editorial, "This Olympics started with freshness and romance and ended amid joy and praise," adding, "It brought warmth and hope to people in countries facing the harsh winter of COVID-19, and infused the anxious world with the power of peace and unity."

Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), who was involved in the 'doping scandal,' left the rink with a disappointed expression after finishing her performance in the women's singles free skating at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, held on the afternoon of the 17th at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, major media in Japan, the United States, and others pointed out that this Winter Olympics deviated from the Olympic spirit and was politically exploited.

Japan's Mainichi Shimbun mentioned the fact that Kamila Valieva (16, Russian Olympic Committee) tested positive in a doping test and said, "Incidents shaking the fairness of the competition, such as doping issues, continued," adding, "Due to the strong political colors and the eruption of problems surrounding the competition, the significance of the Olympics was shaken, and it was a Games that made the fundamental nature of the 'festival of peace' subject to reconsideration."

The influential U.S. daily The Washington Post (WP) harshly criticized in an editorial on the 19th (local time), "The final image of this Olympics will be Valieva crying after a disastrous free skating."

It continued, "She fell twice and made mistakes throughout. All the trials, along with the coach scolding her while sobbing, looked like child abuse," adding, "That solidified the Beijing Olympics as a scandal Olympics."

Earlier, during the women's singles free skating event at this Olympics, a controversy arose when coach Eteri Tutberidze was seen scolding Valieva.

Valieva, who was embroiled in doping allegations, finished first in the short program but made repeated mistakes in the free skating, ultimately finishing fourth.

Valieva left the rink in tears, but coach Tutberidze scolded her, saying, "Why did you give up? Why did you stop competing? Explain to me." This scene was also captured on the broadcast screen. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), called it a "chilling scene."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.