‘We’re Not Doing Anything Wrong’: Why the Word Taiwan Is Banned at the Olympics | Taiwan

Angelina Yang thought she knew the Olympic rules—no national flags, no political messages. She was excited to support her countrymen at the Olympics in France, where she lived and studied. So the Taiwanese student made what she thought was an uncontroversial sign—the outline of her home country, with the words “jiayou Taiwan” (Go Taiwan) written in Chinese.

But when she unfolded the board in the stadium stands to watch her team play against China in badminton, she was quickly surrounded.

“I was still holding my poster and the security kept talking to his colleague on his walkie-talkie. Then there was a man, we (think) he is a Chinese man, he stood in front of me to block the poster.”

Then the man snatched it from her hands.

“I was really surprised. And I was really sad and angry at the same time,” Yang said. “We’re not doing anything wrong. Why should we be treated like this?”

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as violent and contrary to the Olympic values ​​of friendship and respect. It called on French authorities to investigate. In response, the IOC said there were “very clear rules” banning banners.

For decades, Olympians from Taiwan—formally the Republic of China—have been required to compete under the team name “Chinese Taipei.” This rule is strictly enforced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The rules are often attributed to pressure on the IOC from the Chinese Communist Party, which claims Taiwan as Chinese territory that it wants to annex. It uses its considerable influence to shrink as much of Taiwan’s international space as possible, whether that’s at the United Nations or a birdwatching society.

But the name “Chinese Taipei” also stems from Taiwan’s former authoritarian rulers, who for decades vied with Beijing to officially represent “China” on the international stage. In 1976, they rejected an offer from the IOC to compete as Team “Taiwan” instead of “Republic of China.” Today, “Team Taiwan” would more accurately represent the population, which increasingly identifies as primarily Taiwanese, but that’s no longer an option.

Taiwan is now one of three teams whose flag is banned from the Olympics. The other two are Russia and Belarus — banned as punishment for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Under apparent pressure from China, the IOC has refused to allow Taiwan to compete under its national name. US politicians have described the IOC’s position as “uniquely irrational” and said that even if it were generally accepted that Taiwan was a territory, others — such as the British territory of Bermuda or the US territory of Puerto Rico — would be allowed to compete under their own names.

The incident was one of several during the Paris Games that have sparked anger among Taiwanese people over Olympic rules that restrict how they can cheer on their national team.

Fans have tried to get creative. A sign at the badminton finals read “bubble tea land.” Another read “Taiwan” with pictures of food. But on the same day Yang’s plate was confiscated, a photo was taken of security confiscating a towel with “Taiwan” written on it. The design included a video review decision from the 2020 badminton finals in Tokyo, which gave Taiwan the gold medal over China. A man wearing a T-shirt with the same design was told to put on a jacket.

Sandy Hsueh, president of the Taiwanese Association in France, told Taiwanese media that a blank piece of cardboard was taken from her by officials who ignored her complaints about nearby Chinese fans holding a larger-than-allowed flag. She told CNA that she was told they had “received an instruction from the Olympics saying that anything related to Taiwan or showing Taiwan is not allowed to appear,” and there have been widespread allegations of Chinese nationals pointing out Taiwanese fans to security.

Thousands gathered at Taipei Main Station on Sunday to watch Taiwan defend and repeat their gold medal in the men’s badminton doubles. Fans waved the national flag and the official banner of “Chinese Taipei.” The highly charged match was as exciting a derby as the battle in Tokyo in 2020.

But it also caused some sadness, because during the medal ceremony the IOC-approved flag for “Chinese Taipei” was raised and instead of the national anthem another song was played, which was specially intended for the Olympic Games.

“In some international environments, we don’t have many opportunities to say we are Taiwan, so right now we want to stand up and say ‘we are from Taiwan,’” said Nancy Tung, a 23-year-old student at the station.

Three Taiwanese friends in the audience were more pragmatic.

“We just love Taiwan. Taiwan and Chinese Taipei are still all Taiwan,” said Ivy Shieh, a Taiwanese fan who also watched the game.

Yang plans to go to the police and has the support of Taiwan’s representative in France, Wu Chih-chung. “If the IOC confronts the Chinese team, it will be very tough on Taiwan,” Wu told Taiwanese media. Yang said the current rules are “nonsense” and she hopes they can be changed soon.

“I hope we can support our team in the Olympics just like other people can,” she said. “We follow the rules, but why can’t we bring our own poster that is neutral and non-political? That’s all I want, and all I hope Taiwanese people can do.”