Winter Olympics 2022: From COVID-19 to politics, Beijing is set to be a Games to remember

Diplomatic boycotts, Peng Shuai, Uyghurs, genocide, human rights and COVID-19 … these are words, terms and controversies that have defined the run-up to the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Now though, as the final days are counted down, athletes, organisers and Olympic officials hope the focus will turn to the sporting excellence on show and put the politicking aside.

Around 3,000 athletes from 90 nations will compete, while a handful of countries, including Australia, are diplomatically boycotting the games — meaning no government officials will attend.

Chinese officials have brushed off the snub, effectively saying, 'We didn't invite them anyway'.

China's most famous dissident artist, Ai Weiwei, told The Associated Press earlier this month: «The West's boycott is futile and pointless. China does not care about it at all.»

While politicians will no doubt celebrate any medal-winning performances by athletes at the Games, every opportunity is being taken to remind Beijing of the Australian government's current stance.

Recently Defence Minister Peter Dutton described as «deeply concerning» Tennis Australia's banning of T-shirts with the message «Where is Peng Shuai?», referring to the reported disappearance of the Chinese tennis player after a controversial social media post last November.

While it has been reported she accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual abuse, Peng has said herself she did not. Her protestations have not been believed.

Peng is now a symbol, whether she likes it or not, of the tensions between East and West playing out on the sidelines of these Olympic games.

Sightings of Peng eating out, presenting certificates at a kids' tennis camp, chatting with other Chinese athletes at sporting events and in