WASHINGTON — Although the White House has yet to announce its planned delegation for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, President Obama said in early 2008 that President George W. Bush should boycott the opening ceremonies if human rights concerns persisted up to the Olympics.
In April 2008, then-Sen. Obama issued a statement regarding the then-upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing:
"If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur and to respect the dignity, security, and human rights of the Tibetan people, then the President should boycott the opening ceremonies. As I have communicated in public and to the President, it is past time for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, to allow foreign journalists and diplomats access to the region, and to engage the Dalai Lama in meaningful talks about the future of Tibet. I am also deeply concerned about China's failure to support efforts to halt the genocide in Darfur. Regarding the Beijing Olympics this summer, a boycott of the opening ceremonies should be firmly on the table, but this decision should be made closer to the Games."
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney declined to discuss what Obama and his administration would do regarding the delegation to the Sochi Olympics, which have been beset with concerns about anti-LGBT laws in Russia, as well as other human rights concerns.
Obama himself, though, has acknowledged the concerns, telling Jay Leno earlier this year, "I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them." In fact, Obama went so far as to meet with human rights activists while attending the G-20 summit in Russia earlier this year to hear about their concerns.
In 2008, Bush did end up attending the Beijing Olympics.