Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, 26-year-old Muhammad Karim is the only Pakistani athlete who will compete in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games 2022.
The 2022 Winter Olympics have kicked off under a cloud of COVID restrictions, diplomatic boycotts and questions over China’s alleged human rights abuse.
Where are the Olympics taking place?
Beijing becomes the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games. The events are taking place in Beijing, Yanqing (75km or 47 miles from Beijing) and Zhangjiakou (180km or 111 miles from Beijing).
The events will take place within the “closed loop” that will allow them to move between accommodation and venues on official transport. They are not allowed to move freely in public.
No international fans are allowed at the Games. Tickets have not been sold to the local population but instead, organisers are distributing them to “targeted” groups of people.
Those receiving tickets will be required to undertake strict COVID-19 prevention measures before, during and after attending Olympic events. Organisers are hoping for stadium capacities of at least 30 percent.
Pakistani contingent
The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has announced a tiny four-member contingent which will represent the country at the Winter Olympics. The appointment of at least three officials is compulsory as per the rules of the games.
Muhammad Karim is the only Pakistani athlete who will compete in the Alpine Skiing Slalom event on Feb 16. Syed Noman Ali is the chef de mission while Nadeem Ajmal Khan is the team leader. Mirza Mohammad Qamar will be Covid liaison as well as the coach.
Mia Nuriah Freudweiler, one of the direct qualifiers for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, was pulled out of the event. “We are not sure as to why she has pulled out of the Games. She was confident of participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics,” an official said.
Maqsood Alam and Nazir Shah came close to qualifying for the Games and missed the cut at the last hurdle.
What sports are part of the Winter Olympics?
- Alpine skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-country skiing
- Curling
- Figure skating
- Freestyle skiing
- Ice hockey
- Luge
- Nordic combined
- Short track speed skating
- Skeleton
- Ski jumping
- Snowboard
- Speed skating
Why several countries have boycotted the event?
A diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics over alleged human rights violations in China and concerns about COVID-19 have reduced the number of world leaders and foreign dignitaries attending the games.
The US announced a diplomatic boycott while allowing its athletes to compete. Major US allies followed, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
Kosovo and Lithuania, whose relations with China have nosedived over their ties with Taiwan, are also boycotting the games diplomatically.
India said it would not send any officials following reports that a Chinese military commander who was involved in deadly clashes with Indian border forces in 2020 had been chosen as one of the Olympic torchbearers in Beijing.
