UK, Canada join diplomatic boycott of Beijing Games

Canada has joined the growing list of countries planning a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the decision on Wednesday, shortly after Britain's Boris Johnson said UK officials would also be boycotting the Games.

The United States was first to announce the boycott this week, citing human rights concerns, later joined by Australia and New Zealand.

Asked about the boycott earlier on Wednesday, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said the Games should not be politicized.

"The integrity of the Games are about the integrity of the sports competitions. And therefore...and we have our full focus you know on the the athletes."

China has slammed the boycott as quote "political posturing" and denied all allegations of human rights abuses.

Meanwhile, other U.S. allies have been slow to commit to joining the boycott.

Japan is considering doing so, local media reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified government sources.