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Episode details

Sounds,14 Jan 2022,44 mins

Beijing 2022: human rights and athlete activists

The Sports Desk

Available for over a year

With the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing starting next month, we discuss how alleged human rights abuses in China have prompted diplomatic boycotts by countries including the USA and UK. We hear from US basketball star Enes Kanter Freedom, one of China’s most outspoken critics, who is calling for athletes to boycott the Games. Former figure skater Jessica Shuran Yu says the treatment of tennis star Peng Shuai triggered memories of the abuse she says she received while training in China. And we also hear from UK Sport chair Dame Katherine Grainger on GB medal hopes for the Games and from the BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell on the final Olympic preparations. China denies human rights abuses and says the Peng Shuai controversy has been "maliciously hyped up". Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan, Alex Capstick Producer: Sam Sheringham

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