Arif Khan, lone Indian athlete at Winter Olympics 2022, attends opening ceremony in Beijing during India’s diplomatic boycott
The Indian foreign ministry today called it "regrettable" while announcing the diplomat's decision to boycott Opening and Closing ceremonies of Beijing Winter Olympics.
Lone Indian athlete, Arif Khan, carried the national flag as he represented the country at the Parade of Nations at the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, February 4. The dazzling ceremony was held at the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium which also hosted the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in 2008.
Arif, sporting a red jacket, was carrying the Indian flag at the opening ceremony, accompanied by a couple of support staff. He is an Alpine skier from Kashmir, will contest in Slalom and Giant Slalom events on February 13 and 16 in Beijing.
Beijing Olympics gold medalist Abhinav Bindra took to social media to laud Arif Khan for representing India at the Winter Games.
India however has decided to not attend the opening or closing cermony of the Beijing Winter Olympics after China’s “regrettable” decision to field a military officer involved in the Galwan valley clash as a torchbearer for the games, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday..
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like the Olympics and that the Charge d’Affaires of the Indian embassy in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony.
Qi Fabao, a regiment commander in the People’s Liberation Army who sustained a serious head injury during the fighting, was among the 1,200 torchbearers in the Games. He was feted as a hero by the Chinese state media which reported his inclusion in the games.
Shortly after the foreign ministry’s announcement, national broadcaster Doordarshan said it will not live telecast the opening or closing ceremony.
