The pandemic situation in Switzerland and the health restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus made substantive bilateral meetings and contacts with athletes impossible, the government saidExternal link.
It added that the cabinet members would instead “cheer on the Swiss athletes from home”.
The Games are due to take place from February 4-13, and nearly 170 Swiss athletes are expected to participate.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, reverses an initial statement by the government two weeks ago.
The government spokesperson said the move was not politically motivated.
Rights organisations and left-wing parliamentarians have called on the Swiss government to follow other western countries in boycotting the Games over China’s treatment of ethnic minorities and democracy activists.
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Swiss to send official representative to Beijing Olympics
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The pandemic, and not the international calls for a boycott, would be the only thing stopping a Swiss presence at the official opening.
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