Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, and Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Five sources close to the matter revealed Wednesday that the United States might not send a delegation to Beijing to protest China’s violations of human rights.

As a sign of support to thousands of participating athletes around the world, governments often send high-ranking diplomatic delegations to open ceremonies. Winter Olympics 2022 runs from February 4-20.

Biden has been urged by activists from both political parties and certain members of Congress to cancel the diplomatic boycott. China is accused by the United States of genocide committed against Muslim communities in western Xinjiang, an accusation Beijing refutes.

An official from the Biden administration said that while America is still considering sending a delegation to Washington, they are also planning to let American athletes participate.

According to four sources familiar with the White House’s thoughts, there is a consensus that the White House should not allow U.S. officials to attend the Beijing Olympics.

The White House refused to speak on behalf of the U.S. officials.

An American decision to not send diplomats is a rebuke for Chinese President Xi Jinping, just days after Xi Jinping worked with Biden to ease tensions at a virtual summit. It was the first time they had been in serious talks since Biden assumed office in January.

Biden’s care in defining their relationship has been highlighted by the White House. After Xi referred Xi’s to Biden during the summit as an “old friend”, the White House emphasised that Biden did not view Xi this way.

In October, a bipartisan group U.S. Senators proposed an amendment for an annual defense bill to prohibit the U.S. State Department spending federal funds to “support” or facilitate U.S. employees attending the Games.

Nancy Pelosi, Democratic House Speaker, has called for a diplomatic boycott.

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary-of-State, stated last week that Washington is talking with countries all over the globe about “how they think about participation”, but did not give a time frame.

Republicans keep up pressure on Biden.

“The United States must boycott the Olympics completely,” said Nikki Haley, a Republican former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. This includes our president. Participating sends the message America will not turn a blindeye to Communist China’s genocide.