Taiwan Secures Historic Badminton Doubles Gold, But Fans Subjected to Unfair Treatment?
By Tsering Choephel
DHARAMSALA, 5 August: Controversy erupted at the Paris Olympics 2024 when a Taiwan supporter was forcibly removed from the arena for displaying a pro-Taiwan banner during the men’s doubles badminton final between the geopolitical rivals Taiwan and China on Friday. The incident, which occurred amid Taiwan’s victory over China, has reignited debates over the island’s representation in international sporting events and the freedom of expression for its supporters.
A Taiwan supporter at the Paris Olympics 2024 was dragged from the arena for holding a green banner reading “Go Taiwan” during the badminton final, and the banner was confiscated by security officials, CNN reported. The report also mentioned that prior to the start of the match, some Taiwanese supporters were forced to erase face paint depicting Taiwan and had their banners confiscated.
The colour green is used by the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, as well as by those who advocate for Taiwanese independence and greater autonomy.
The unseeded Taiwanese duo, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, defeated Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21-17, 18-21, 21-19 in a dramatic match at La Chapelle Arena, making history as the first men’s doubles team to successfully defend their Olympic title and also securing the island’s first medal at the Paris Olympics.
The victory in this highly charged competition against China’s team sparked enthusiastic celebrations among millions of spectators across Taiwan, with the island’s President Lai Ching-te stating in a Facebook post, “The Lin-Yang team faced strong opponents and fought all the way to the end, uniting and inspiring Taiwan!” Reuters reported on 4 August.
Beijing claims self-ruled and democratic Taiwan as its own and views it as a wayward province to be reunified with China by force if necessary.
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang troops fled to the island after losing China’s civil war to Mao’s Communist Party.
Taiwan, however, is represented at the Olympic Games as “Chinese Taipei” with its own flag and anthem since the 1984 Olympics as a result of a “political compromise” reached between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and China, according to a CNN report. While Beijing claims the democratically self-governing island as its own territory, the island asserts its sovereignty.
IOC rules prohibit flags or signs carrying political messages or supporting countries that are not participating in the Olympics. In the past, the island nation has represented itself in the Olympics as “Taiwan,” “Formosa,” “China,” and “Republic of China” (ROC), its official name.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the treatment of its supporters at the game and called on French authorities to investigate an incident stating, “This violent act is not only uneducated but also seriously violates the civilized spirit represented by the Olympic Games. It also violates the rule of law and infringes on freedom of speech.”
The president of Taiwan hailed the men’s doubles badminton final victory as “the country’s glory.” Danny Tsai, a local Taipei resident, told Reuters, “I hope one day we can bravely hold our flag at an international event without it being snatched away.”
