OREANDA-NEWS. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) supports human rights  based on the main principles of the Olympic Charter, but has neither the power nor the possibility to alter the laws or political organisation of a sovereign country. This was pointed out by RIA Novosti in the IOC press service in answer to an offer of the United States to boycott the 2022 Olympic Games in China.

Earlier, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that the United States is ready to discuss with its allies the idea of a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. The US accuses China of racial discrimination against ethnic Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Chinese authorities reject all accusations, calling not to interfere in exclusively the internal affairs of the country.

In response, the IOC states: “At all times, the IOC accepts and supports human rights as based in both the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and its codex of ethics. We are all responsible for upholding the Olympic Charter in relation to the Olympic Games and percieve very seriously this responsibility. At the same time, the IOC has neither the power nor the possibility to alter the laws or the political organisation of a sovereign country. This should rightfully stay the legitimate role of countries' governments and relevant intergovernmental organizations."

"The Olympic Games are an event that unites the entire planet through peaceful competition. They are the most powerful symbol of unity in all our diversity. In our fragile world, the strength of sport, despite all existing differences, gives us all hope for a better future," added on the committee.