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- Cotton, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, detailed several of his concerns, including China’s “invasive” surveillance system.
- He also warned about the possibility the Chinese government could try to obtain DNA samples from athletes.
- “The CCP has reportedly conducted tests to develop biologically-enhanced soldiers and intends to use DNA data to catapult Chinese biotechnology companies to global market dominance,” Cotton said in a letter to Biden.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R) is warning of the risks American athletes could face at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, claiming China could try to collect DNA from Olympians.
In a letter addressed on Tuesday to President Biden, Cotton called on the administration to take all necessary steps to protect American athletes who travel to China for the games, and asked for more information on the federal government’s preparations.
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Cotton, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, detailed several of his concerns, including China’s “invasive” surveillance system. He said members of the American delegation should expect their rooms to be bugged and their electronic devices to be hacked by Chinese authorities.
He also warned about the possibility the Chinese government could try to obtain DNA samples from athletes.
“The CCP [Chinese Communist Party] also considers DNA collection a vital intelligence-gathering objective,” Cotton wrote.
“The CCP has reportedly conducted tests to develop biologically-enhanced soldiers and intends to use DNA data to catapult Chinese biotechnology companies to global market dominance,” the letter states.
“In 2022, thousands of world-class athletes will gather to compete in China. Their DNA will present an irresistible target for the CCP. Thus, we should expect that the Chinese government will attempt to collect genetic samples of Olympians at the Games, perhaps disguised as testing for illegal drugs or COVID-19,” he wrote.
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The lawmaker also warned Americans could be subject to arbitrary detention in the country.
Cotton has called for a boycott of the games and has urged the International Olympic Committee to move the Winter Olympics from China “to a free country.”
Human rights groups have also urged governments around the world to boycott the games due to China’s reported human rights abuses.
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