BEIJING: The United States is paying athletes to "create disturbances" during the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese state media reported on Saturday night. China Daily newspaper, citing "sources familiar with the matter", said there was a plot by Washington to persuade athletes to "play passively" or refuse to take part in competitions and "express discontent toward China." In return the United States will offer financial compensation and work to protect the reputations of athletes who cooperate, according to the paper. The countries taking part in the boycott are not sending officials to Beijing for Friday's opening ceremony, but their athletes will participate in competitions. The US embassy in Beijing on Saturday denied the accusations reported in China Daily.

Source: Manila Times January 31, 2022 04:00 UTC