A USOPC boycott would be very difficult to pull off.
Let's look back at the boycotts of the 1980's.
If an NOC decides to boycott the games, the IOC's response is that they will permit that nation's qualified athletes to compete regardless of the NOC's wishes on the matter. They do this to make it clear that the IOC is not subordinate to the NOCs. But because their NOC is not participating, they compete under the Olympic flag and anthem. Any sanctions the NOCs decide to levy against those athletes is their problem after the fact, and not the IOC's concern.
For a country with as many athletes as the US, you WOULD have people crossing the picket line to compete anyway.
A more practical gesture would be for the USOPC to deliberately CHOOSE to participate under the Olympic flag rather than the Stars & Stripes. A bunch of countries did this in 1980.
This is a DIPLOMATIC boycott. They're just not going over in some public display of officials.
This is so minor you'd need a microscope to see it. Theater.
A USOPC boycott would be very difficult to pull off.
Let's look back at the boycotts of the 1980's.
If an NOC decides to boycott the games, the IOC's response is that they will permit that nation's qualified athletes to compete regardless of the NOC's wishes on the matter. They do this to make it clear that the IOC is not subordinate to the NOCs. But because their NOC is not participating, they compete under the Olympic flag and anthem. Any sanctions the NOCs decide to levy against those athletes is their problem after the fact, and not the IOC's concern.
For a country with as many athletes as the US, you WOULD have people crossing the picket line to compete anyway.
A more practical gesture would be for the USOPC to deliberately CHOOSE to participate under the Olympic flag rather than the Stars & Stripes. A bunch of countries did this in 1980.
How about the ROC flag at these Wuhan Olympics.
Golly, someone who got more information and changed his mind. Maybe there's hope for us yet!!!