- Underdog nation pulled off a victory that will go down in history
- Fans were not even allowed to cheer the country by name
- Image shows real moment of sportsmanship
On Sunday, people across Taiwan celebrated their victory over China in the men’s badminton doubles, sparking scenes of joy but also highlighting the deepening geopolitical divide between the two countries.
Taiwan’s Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang, the reigning champions of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, won a thrilling three-game match against China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang. The rivals are pictured smiling and shaking hands, despite the incredibly tense relations between their countries.
Public screens were set up in cities across Taiwan, from Wang’s home in the capital Taipei to southern Kaohsiung and Lee’s birthplace on Kinmen Island, just off the coast of China, drawing thousands of fans.
Many were keen to see the island win its first gold medal at the Paris Games, against sporting giant China, which has already won 19 golds.
More than 1,000 spectators packed the concourse of Taipei’s main station, cheering and applauding for every point the home team won and falling silent for every point they lost. Some waved Taiwanese flags and chanted “Support Taiwan!”
While there is ongoing political unrest between China and Taiwan, which China calls Chinese Taipei, this was not reflected by their players in the men’s doubles badminton gold medal match
The defeated Chinese players warmly congratulated their opponents, despite the differences between their countries outside the sporting world
It was a hugely emotional victory for the small country of 24 million people taking on the might of China.
As at previous Olympic Games, Taiwan’s international status is in the spotlight due to long-standing sovereignty disputes with China.
The island competes under the name ‘Chinese Taipei’ instead of Taiwan, in order to avoid objections from China, which claims the island as its own territory.
“We want to beat China because of the political situation,” said Irene Lai, a 27-year-old office worker who was watching with her boyfriend at the back of the busy Taipei station.
Before the final, some Taiwanese fans arriving at the stadium in Paris were forced to scrape the Taiwanese flag from their faces. Others had their banners confiscated as security personnel enforced Olympic rules on political messages.
While Taiwanese flags were banned, supporters found other ways to support their country
Security intervened when a supporter tried to cheer on his team with a Taiwanese towel
Security also sprang into action when this woman held up a sign with the shape of the island of Taiwan and the text ‘come on Taiwan’
The rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibit flags or signs with political messages or expressions of support for countries not participating in the Olympic Games.
“This is an opportunity to prove Taiwan’s strength and confirm our international status… In every area, China oppresses us, we can’t even use our own name at the Olympics and are called Chinese Taipei. So our players help us to be recognized,” added Lai, the supporter.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, called Wang’s father.
Lai thanked Wang and Lee for their hard fight to win two consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, both times against Chinese opponents.
“They are the glory of the country,” said Lai, who has been called a “separatist” by China and is undermining peace between the two sides.
Cheng Li-chun, deputy head of Taiwan’s Executive Yuan, told the crowd at Taipei Station that Wang and Lee’s success shows the Taiwanese spirit and “has introduced Taiwan to the world.”
“I hope that one day we can bravely hold our flag at an international event without it being taken away,” said Danny Tsai, a 36-year-old Taipei resident, speaking in the crowd.