Three-time Olympic ice dancer Evan Bates did not hesitate to address the topic.
“Speaking on behalf of all the athletes, I can say human rights violations are abysmal, and we all believe that it tears the fabric of humanity,” Bates said.
Asked if that answer referred specifically to China, Bates did not backtrack and mentioned its Uyghur Muslims. Human Rights Watch has described the Chinese government’s arbitrary detention, torture and mass surveillance of Muslims in Xinjiang province of northwest China.
“My answer could be applicable to human rights at large, but if you’re asking what’s happening in China regarding the Muslims, it’s terrible, it’s awful,” Bates said.
“I have no problems in speaking for the athletes in saying what’s happening there is terrible. We’re human beings too and when we read and hear about the things that are happening there, we absolutely hate that. We hate what’s going on there.”
Bates’ ice dance partner, Madison Chock, whose ancestry is part Chinese, added, “I wanted to just say all the experiences we have had in China in the past have been very positive… even (with) all of that is going on, those issues don’t represent the entire country because there are so many good people there.
“Just because something terrible has happened doesn’t mean everyone (in China) supports what is going on or believes that’s the right thing to do.”
Two other 2022 U.S. Olympic team hopefuls of Chinese descent, singles skaters Nathan Chen and Vincent Zhou, backed Bates’ position in later press conferences Monday during the virtual media summit.
“I agree with what Evan was saying,” said Chen, three-time reigning world champion. “I think for a greater change to occur there must be power that is beyond the Olympics. It has to be change at a remarkable scale.
“However, the fact that people are talking about this issue, and the Olympics are bringing it to light is already a step in the right direction.”
