By Richa Naidu and Ann Wang
PARIS (Reuters) – Some Taiwanese supporters arriving for the men’s doubles badminton final between Taiwan and China in Paris on Sunday were ordered to rub off face paint and had banners confiscated as security staff enforced Olympic rules on political messaging.
“I wrote (on my banner) in Taiwanese, not Chinese, because I want to cheer for them,” said Mina Syue, a 28-year-old engineer from Taiwan who said her banner had been confiscated after the guards checked the message with translation software.
Syue’s banner was in the colours of Taiwan’s flag — a red background with ‘Taiwan you’re the best!’ written in blue and white.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules prohibit flags or signs that include political messages or support countries that are not participating at the Olympics.
Taiwan competes at the Olympics as Chinese Taipei to avoid objections from China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory. Taiwan’s government rejects Chinese sovereignty claims.
A Taiwanese family of four, told Reuters they had painted the Taiwanese flag on their faces but were made to wash it off before they could enter the arena.
As the match between Taiwan’s Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin and China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang got underway spectators chanted ‘Taiwan’ each time their team scored a point.
For Taiwanese spectator Zoe Chou, badminton is a way for Taiwan to show in a soft way that “we are strong and cannot be beaten,” despite not being able to show the flag.
Kevin Chan, another Taiwanese spectator, said he did not mind the rules.
“They do not recognise us as a country, right, so this is as much as we can do — support with Olympic flags,” said the 27-year-old engineer.
At Taipei’s main train station, supporters held a party to watch the final at 10 p.m. local time where they were able to stridently show their support with Taiwanese flags and political colours.
“It is an honour to have our flag represented in an important event… I hope one day we can bravely hold our flag in an international event without (it) being snatched away,” said Danny Tsai, 36, a local resident in the crowd.
(Reporting by Richa Naidu in Paris; additional reporting by Angie Teo in Taipei; writing by Layli Foroudi; editing by Clare Fallon)
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