Winter Olympics: Athletes warned over speaking out on human rights issues

Athletes at next month's Beijing Winter Olympics face punishment for behaviour that is against the spirit of the Games or Chinese rules, an official has said.

It comes after Human Rights Watch held a briefing to warn of the dangers of athletes speaking out at the Games.

Athletes were told to «stay silent» about human rights issues as they will «not be protected» in an «Orwellian surveillance state».

The Games start on 4 February, followed by the Winter Paralympics from 4 March.

China has been accused of committing genocide against Uighurs and other mainly Muslim peoples, an allegation China has repeatedly rejected.

«Any expression that is in line with the Olympic spirit I'm sure will be protected and anything and any behaviour or speeches that are against the Olympic spirit, especially against Chinese laws and regulations, are also subject to certain punishment,» said Yang Shu, deputy director general of Beijing 2022's International Relations Department.

Yang suggested that a possible punishment could be the cancellation of athletes' accreditation.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) relaxed a ban on protests before the Tokyo Games last summer, allowing athletes to «express their views» during news conferences — but political demonstrations are still banned on the medal podiums.

Nordic skier Noah Hoffman says he feels «fear» for athletes over «the lack of the ability to speak freely».

«My advice for athletes who are there and my hope for athletes who are going there is to stay silent,» said Hoffmanm, speaking at the Human Rights Watch seminar.

Figures including NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom have criticised the IOC for awarding the Games to China and called on athletes to boycott the event.

Countries including the UK, US,