Dutch king won’t attend Winter Olympics because of coronavirus

Willem-Alexander opena an Olympic themed event in The Hague last summer. Photo: Remko de Waal ANP
Willem-Alexander opens an Olympic themed event in The Hague last summer. Photo: Remko de Waal ANP

King Willem-Alexander will not be attending the Winter Olympics in Beijing early next year because of the coronavirus crisis, foreign minister Ben Knapen has told MPs.

The king, a big sports fan, did not attend the summer games in Tokyo either for the same reason.

Knapen told MPs that the king had decided ‘some time ago’ not to attend the games. In particular, it would be very odd if he had gone and foreign fans were not welcome, Knapen said.

The games take place from February 4-20 2022 and will cover seven different sports.

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