VCG/VCG via Getty Images The US on Monday announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. This means the president and US officials will not attend, but athletes can participate. The boycott is due to ongoing "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity," the White House said. The White House on Monday announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, citing "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity" by the Chinese government. "The athletes on Team USA have our full support.