The International Olympic Committee has insisted that it has "respect" for the USA's decision to diplomatically boycott the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The Biden administration announced earlier this week that no government officials would travel to China for the Games, but a full boycott is not thought to be in order, with US athletes still set to take part.

The USA cited "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses" as their reason for the boycott, referring to the Uyghur population held in interment camps.

China has criticized the move, but the IOC 'respects the diplomatic boycott, with coordination commission chief Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr saying in a statement: "We always ask for as much respect as possible and least possible interference from the political world. We have to be reciprocal. We respect the political decisions taken by political bodies."

China has also been at the centre of the Peng Shuai controversy, with the WTA still concerned about the tennis player's safety after she accused former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault last month.