Australia considers diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

Australia is considering not sending any government officials to the Winter Olympics to be held in Beijing next year amid growing calls from lawmakers for an official diplomatic boycott, the Sydney Morning Herald said in a report on Thursday. Australian politicians from the ruling Liberal-National coalition and the opposition Labor Party are urging the federal government to boycott the event, which will be held in February, the newspaper reported without citing a source. A diplomatic boycott would involve not sending a delegation of officials, but allowing athletes to participate. "A decision on (Australia’s) representation at the Beijing Winter Olympics is…