Getty ImagesThe StoryThe 2022 Winter Olympics are happening...in spite of everything. Back up.It might feel like the delayed Summer Games just happened. But that was six months ago. Now, it’s time for winter sports athletes to take the world stage in Beijing. The opening ceremony begins today at 6:30am ET. And as the second pandemic-era Games, this year’s Olympics are different in more ways than one. Tell me. The biggest thing to watch: the diplomatic boycott. China’s record on human rights — including its treatment of Uyghurs and crack down on Hong Kong — have world leaders raising flags.The US, Australia, Britain, Belgium, Canada, and Denmark aren’t sending gov officials to represent.Other countries aren't sending diplomats because of COVID-19. And then there are concerns China's been trying to silence tennis star Peng Shuai. But that hasn't stopped the Games. Or Russian President Vladimir Putin, who's there saying 'go best friend.' And what about COVID-19?Beijing created the "closed-loop” system.Aka the bubble where athletes, officials, and anyone with a hand in the games will be living, eating, and competing.Athletes will be tested every day and have to wear a mask at all times — except when competing or accepting a medal.If anyone tests positive, it’s off to isolation, even if that means missing their event. Intense.So is the competition. Nearly 3,000 athletes will compete across 109 events. There’s alpine skiing. Figure skating. Snowboarding. And more, including the seven new events (see: women’s monobob). On Team USA, many are keeping eyes out for Nathan Chen, Mikaela Shiffrin, Chloe Kim, and Shaun White. In total, over 220 US athletes are competing. Where are people watching?NBC, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com or the NBC Sports app. Human rights groups have called on NBC to not cover the Olympics. Though the network isn’t sending any announcers due to COVID-19 concerns, it’s still planning on broadcasting the Olympic events. A network official said their coverage of the Games “will provide perspective on China’s place in the world and the geopolitical context in which these Games are being held.” theSkimmChina hosting the Olympics was intended as an opportunity to flex. But as cameras point at the stadiums, many can't ignore what's happening offscreen — in places like Xinjiang and Hong Kong. And the world's made it known that it's watching closely. PS: We Skimm'd everything you need to know about the Winter Olympics here. | 