China bags Winter Games gold and a rap for ‘cynical ploy’ of Uyghur torchbearer

Glory on the track. Growing criticism off it. China ended day one of these Winter Olympics by celebrating a thrilling first gold medal, while also finding itself facing growing condemnation from human rights groups after selecting a Uyghur to light the Olympic flame.

The small number of fans in the Capital Indoor Stadium because of Covid-19 regulations certainly made themselves heard as China’s mixed relay quartet held off Italy by the width of a blade in a dramatic short-track speedskating final.

Afterwards, Wu Dajing, the country’s most famous active winter sports star, dedicated the victory to the nation. “We achieved this by working hard and pushing the envelope,” said the 27-year-old Wu. “We are very happy for this first gold medal for China, and as a motivation for our teammates in other events this is a very good start. We will work together. Thank you!”

However, China’s early success in these Games was overshadowed by the reaction to its decision to choose cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang, from the western Xinjiang region, where more than a million Uyghurs are in re-education camps, to perform the ceremonial act of lighting the flame.

The criticism was led by the World Uyghur Congress, which said it was “shocking and insensitive” and that China was deliberately sending a blunt message to a people it represses.

“China is politicising the Olympics, which we warned the IOC [International Olympic Committee] would happen,” its spokesperson, Zumretay Arkin, said. “But they didn’t want to listen to us. It is shocking and hugely insensitive to use a Uyghur athlete this way, when there is an ongoing genocide.”

The IOC has not commented on the repression of the Uyghurs, saying that it must stay politically neutral.