Beijing (AFP) – The United States is paying athletes to “create disturbances” during the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese state media reported Saturday. The accusations come just a week before the start of the most politicised Games in recent memory and immediately drew a denial from the US embassy in China. China Daily newspaper, citing “sources familiar with the matter”, said there was a plot by Washington to persuade athletes to “play passively” or refuse to take part in competitions and “express discontent toward China”. “The sources stressed that Washington’s plan is a new example demonst…