Former President Donald Trump has called for the 2022 Winter Olympics to be moved out of Beijing, citing China’s record on human rights and its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement released by his office on Thursday, Trump said that holding the games in Beijing would be a “terrible mistake.” He urged the International Olympic Committee to take action and relocate the event to a country that respects freedom and human rights.
Trump’s call comes as the Biden administration is still weighing whether the U.S. should boycott the games over human rights concerns. Some lawmakers and human rights activists have called for a boycott, while others argue that athletes should not be punished for the actions of the Chinese government.
The IOC has said that it remains committed to holding the games in Beijing and has no plans to change the location. The organization has also stated that it is a non-governmental body and does not get involved in politics.
The 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in Beijing from February 4-20. China is the first country to host both the summer and winter games, following the 2008 Beijing Olympics.