TAIPEI (TVBS News) —Olympic Games Paris 2024 men's badminton doubles match between Taiwanese shuttlers Lee Yang (李洋) and Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) against Chinese players on Sunday (Aug. 4) sparked intense competition among Taiwanese and Chinese fans. The event, held in a charged atmosphere, saw foreign spectators rallying behind Taiwan due to aggressive actions by some Chinese individuals.
Multiple attendees captured footage of Chinese individuals directing security personnel, leading foreign spectators to support Taiwan. According to Central News Agency (CNA), Taiwanese fans created several chat groups with over 200 members to organize cheering boards and slogans, countering prior incidents of confiscated support materials.
The Republic of China's flag faced a ban, prompting spectators to bring creative signs featuring "Taiwan," "Lin-Yang," bubble tea, and other symbols. However, group members reported excessive control before the match and increased confiscation of signs and images during the event.
Hsueh Ya-chu (薛雅俶), president of the Association Formose en France (法國台灣協會), recounted being surrounded by three security personnel for carrying a blank board. She described their behavior as overbearing and noted that Chinese fans wielded oversized flags, obstructing views.
A Chinese woman was caught on camera pointing out Taiwanese posters to security for confiscation without explanation. Hsueh reported that the staff's aggressive actions shocked nearby spectators, leading Malaysian and French fans to join in cheering for Taiwan.
Representative to France Francois Wu (吳志中) told CNA that fans faced unfair treatment, particularly when competing against China, criticizing the International Olympic Committee's handling of the situation.
Wu emphasized that the incident highlighted Taiwan's plight internationally and united the nation. He praised the resilience and spirit of Taiwanese athletes who triumphed under challenging conditions. With international spectators rallying in support, the event underscored the broader implications of sports diplomacy and the global community's stance on fairness and solidarity.