First of all, there was not enough snow. Olympic officials brought in 300 snow cannons to spray man-made snow across Beijing.

Then, all of a sudden, there was too much. A surprise snowstorm sent temperatures plummeting to -15C. Skiers skidded and crashed in treacherous conditions. 

Meanwhile, away from the slopes, new headaches were emerging for China's Olympic officials. 

The Winter Olympics, held this month in Beijing, were supposed to be the spectacle of the decade. But for Chinese premier Xi Jinping, events have not gone according to plan. Now, a leading human rights campaigner says China's apparent plan to use the sporting event to cover up its dismal record on human rights has failed.

In the past months, China has been accused of genocide against the UighurChina denies that camps for Uighur people in Xinjiang are detention camps. Officials say they are "vocational, educational and training centres".  minority, threatening Taiwan and crushing freedoms in Hong Kong. Hosting the Winter Olympics was an opportunity to change the headlines.

It is a process known as sportswashingWhen a country uses international sporting events to improve their reputation, often as a cover for human rights abuses.: when oppressive governments use sports to legitimise their regimes and distract from damaging human rights abuses. 

The strategy worked well in 2008 when China hosted the Summer Games in a stunning new stadium. This time, it was a "catastrophic failure," says Luke de Pulfordde Pulford focuses on modern slavery and human rights abuses in China. , head of anti-slavery charity Arise. 

Instead of focusing on courageous curlers or incredible ice-skating, commentators around the world are talking about: i) the diplomatic boycott by India, the UK, the US and more, ii) the warning to competitors to "be responsible" when expressing themselves and iii) the minder caught in the mirror during an interview with tennis star Peng ShuaiIn November, Peng Shuai alleged that a former Chinese vice premier had sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, she disappeared from public view for nearly three weeks. .  

"This hasn't been the propaganda victory Beijing was hoping for, " summarises de Pulford. "The whole debacleA complete failure, often deserving ridicule. has merely served to expose further Xi Jinping's Government for the malevolentShowing a wish to do evil to others.  and oppressive regime that it is."

For many, it is a sign that sport is no longer honest. "Can the Olympics sink any lower?" asked one journalist last week. 

But others point out that the combination of sports and politics is nothing new. And in the end, they argue, what shines through is the extraordinary achievements of the athletes. 

"The appeal of the Games is the Olympians themselves," says columnist Lindsay Crouse. "Yes, there are lies, abuses and failures - but the talent and hard work are real." 

When the lights of the closing ceremony dim on Sunday, sports fans will remember the fantastic flips of freestyle skier Eileen Gu and the Dutch speed skater who became the first person to win individual gold medals in five Olympics. 

Some go even further. Former basketball player John Amaechi believes sport is about making positive changes for a fairer society. 

"Sports is always political," Amaechi argues. When athletes speak, "interesting new audiences listen". 

There are billions of sports fans around the world. For many, the question of whether sport is complicit in or entirely separated from the political events that surround it remains a divisive issue.

Yes: From the Beijing Olympics to the Qatar World Cup, major sporting events have simply become dishonest attempts by authoritarian governments to distract the world from their oppressive regimes.

No: Pursuing sporting excellence is far from dishonest. Watching and facilitating sport is about celebrating the extraordinary achievements and abilities of the world's best athletes.

Or... Sports are not inherently dishonest, but the Olympic Games has proved time and time again that it has been corrupted by dishonest practices, from dopingDrugs, hormones and blood transfusions can all help to give athletes a crucial advantage. Some sports theorists say that doping is no less fair than using sophisticated technology or dietary supplements, but due to health risks and perceived dishonesty, most of these techniques are banned. and bribery to cover-ups of shameful abuse.