INTERNATIONAL: The 2022 Winter Olympic flame was displayed at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications on Thursday, even as several countries joined a diplomatic boycott of the Games.

Volunteers in the university took vows and sang the theme song of the Winter Olympic Games, while the Deputy Director of the Market Development Department of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee has said that the flame brings "confidence, warmth and hope to everyone".

The display came as Australia, Britain and Canada joined the United States in deciding not to send officials to the Games, citing various issues, including China's human rights records. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will be held starting from 4 February, 2022.