China escalates crackdown on foreign sports stars over political statements

China has increasingly penalized global sports figures—from Mesut Ozil to John Cena and Kylian Mbappe—for statements deemed politically sensitive, signaling a broader pattern of using sports diplomacy as a lever. The article suggests this is an ongoing trend, with each case reinforcing China's willingness to enforce its political红线 in the sports arena. This matters as it could deter athletes from engaging in political expression and strain bilateral relations with affected countries.

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