ISTANBUL: China’s Uyghur Muslim ethnic group, which has a wide presence in Turkey, welcomed a US boycott of the Winter Games in Beijing, and called on other countries to do the same.
The White House said on Monday US government officials would boycott the Winter Olympics because of China’s human rights “atrocities,” although US athletes were free to travel there to compete.
Many Uyghurs reside in Turkey, with whom Turks share ethnic, religious and linguistic connections.
About 50,000 Uyghurs are believed to live in Turkey, the largest Uyghur diaspora outside of Central Asia.
One 40-year-old Uyghur woman in Istanbul said she welcomed the US action. “China these days is carrying out a genocide against Uyghur Turks as everyone knows, killing millions of people there,” said Amine Wayit, who spoke in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu district where she sells Uyghur goods.
“In such a situation it is ridiculous to hold an Olympics there in China and in my view it is like pouring scorn on the whole world’s humanity,” she said. “It would be right for the whole world to stage a boycott, not just America.”
Chinese authorities reacted with anger to Washington’s move. The United States has betrayed Olympic principles and will have to “pay a price” for its diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games in Beijing, China said on Tuesday, as key Western allies hesitated in deciding whether to follow the US lead.
US President Joe Biden’s administration highlighted as the reason for its boycott what Washington calls genocide against minority Muslims in China’s far western region of Xinjiang.
China denies all rights abuses.
“I think this is the start of the reaction. Maybe other countries will afterwards join the boycott decision which America has launched,” said Abdusselam Teklimakan, a Uyghur who is chairman of the East Turkestan New Generation Movement group.
“This will increase the number of countries on the side of the East Turkestanis and weaken the hand of China.”
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Uyghurs in Turkey welcome US boycott of Olympics
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Uyghurs in Turkey welcome US boycott of Olympics
- The White House said on Monday US government officials would boycott the Winter Olympics because of China's human rights "atrocities"
- About 50,000 Uyghurs are believed to live in Turkey, the largest Uyghur diaspora outside of Central Asia
South Africa coach looks to ‘maintain intensity’ against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe meanwhile have stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stages
“They’ve done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights, they’ve had a fantastic tournament, our neighbors,” said Prince
NEW DELHI: Unbeaten South Africa look to “maintain discipline and intensity” in their last Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe, batting coach Ashwell Prince said Saturday.
The 2024 runners-up have already secured a semifinal place ahead of their match in New Delhi on Sunday.
The Aiden Markram-led side will take to the pitch in the dead rubber game after scoring convincing wins over hot favorites India and two-time champions West Indies in the Super Eights.
Zimbabwe meanwhile have stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stages.
“I think you’ve got to respect the opposition — they’ve done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights, they’ve had a fantastic tournament, our neighbors,” said Prince.
“From our point of view, we’ve been really sharp and what we want to ensure is that we maintain that discipline and intensity and that we don’t drop off as far as those are concerned.”
South Africa had just one close shave against Afghanistan in a group game they won in a double super over, while all the other victories have been fairly comfortable.
But former South Africa batter Prince said victory is all that matters.
“Obviously winning creates good momentum,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way of doing it or an ideal way — I think it’s nice not to have a lot of close games, but I think close games definitely help in terms of team morale.”
South Africa beat Australia in the World Test Championship final in June 2025 to win their first major International Cricket Council trophy and shrug off their “chokers” tag.
Prince said the triumph has done a world of good for the players.
“Getting over the line in the World Test Championship was a big moment for us... as a cricketing nation and for this group of players,” said Prince.
“And what that creates is a lot of confidence within your teammates and trust that whenever they are going to be called upon and when the moment presents itself, they can step up.”
Markram has led the team from the front with his 264 runs including three half-centuries an an unbeaten 82 in their previous nine-wicket win over the West Indies.
“The phrase that my kids would use is he’s really locked in at the moment in terms of his focus, his batting and in terms of his captaincy,” said Prince.
“And at the same time the rest of the players are enjoying each other’s company.”
“They’ve done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights, they’ve had a fantastic tournament, our neighbors,” said Prince
NEW DELHI: Unbeaten South Africa look to “maintain discipline and intensity” in their last Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe, batting coach Ashwell Prince said Saturday.
The 2024 runners-up have already secured a semifinal place ahead of their match in New Delhi on Sunday.
The Aiden Markram-led side will take to the pitch in the dead rubber game after scoring convincing wins over hot favorites India and two-time champions West Indies in the Super Eights.
Zimbabwe meanwhile have stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stages.
“I think you’ve got to respect the opposition — they’ve done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights, they’ve had a fantastic tournament, our neighbors,” said Prince.
“From our point of view, we’ve been really sharp and what we want to ensure is that we maintain that discipline and intensity and that we don’t drop off as far as those are concerned.”
South Africa had just one close shave against Afghanistan in a group game they won in a double super over, while all the other victories have been fairly comfortable.
But former South Africa batter Prince said victory is all that matters.
“Obviously winning creates good momentum,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way of doing it or an ideal way — I think it’s nice not to have a lot of close games, but I think close games definitely help in terms of team morale.”
South Africa beat Australia in the World Test Championship final in June 2025 to win their first major International Cricket Council trophy and shrug off their “chokers” tag.
Prince said the triumph has done a world of good for the players.
“Getting over the line in the World Test Championship was a big moment for us... as a cricketing nation and for this group of players,” said Prince.
“And what that creates is a lot of confidence within your teammates and trust that whenever they are going to be called upon and when the moment presents itself, they can step up.”
Markram has led the team from the front with his 264 runs including three half-centuries an an unbeaten 82 in their previous nine-wicket win over the West Indies.
“The phrase that my kids would use is he’s really locked in at the moment in terms of his focus, his batting and in terms of his captaincy,” said Prince.
“And at the same time the rest of the players are enjoying each other’s company.”
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