- The underdog nation achieved a historic victory
- Fans were not even allowed to cheer for the country by name.
- The image shows a true moment of sportsmanship.
People across Taiwan on Sunday celebrated the men’s doubles badminton gold medal victory over China, sparking scenes of jubilation while also exposing deeper geopolitical divides between the two nations.
Taiwan’s Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang, the reigning champions at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, won a three-set thriller against China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, with the rivals pictured smiling and exchanging handshakes despite incredibly strained relations between their countries.
In cities across Taiwan, from Wang’s home in the capital Taipei to as far south as Kaohsiung and Lee’s hometown on Kinmen Island off the coast of China, public screens were set up, drawing thousands of fans.
Many were eager to see the island win its first gold medal of the Paris Games against sporting giant China, which has already won 19 golds.
More than 1,000 spectators packed the hall of Taipei’s main train station, cheering and applauding every point won by the local duo and falling silent every time they lost a point. Some waved Taiwanese flags and shouted “Support Taiwan!”
While there is ongoing political unrest between China and Taiwan, which China calls Chinese Taipei, this was not reflected in their players in the men’s doubles badminton gold medal match.
The defeated Chinese players warmly congratulated their opponents despite the differences between their nations outside of the sport.
It was a deeply emotional victory for the small nation of 24 million people facing the might of China.
As at previous Olympics, Taiwan’s international status has been in the spotlight due to its long-standing sovereignty disputes with China.
The island competes as “Chinese Taipei” rather than Taiwan, 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 near the back of the crowded Taipei station.
Before the final, some Taiwanese fans arriving at the Paris venue were forced to wipe paint of the Taiwanese flag off their faces, while others had their banners confiscated as security staff enforced Olympic rules on political messages.
Although Taiwanese flags were banned, fans found other ways to support their nation.
Security intervened when a fan tried to cheer on his team with a towel from Taiwan.
Security also stepped in when this woman held up a sign depicting the shape of the island of Taiwan with a phrase saying “come to Taiwan.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules prohibit flags or banners that include political messages or that support countries that do not participate in the Olympic Games.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate Taiwan’s strength and assert our international status… China suppresses us in every area, we can’t even use our own name at the Olympics and we are called Chinese Taipei. That’s why our players are helping us gain recognition,” added Lai, the fan.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, made a phone call to Wang’s father.
Lai thanked Wang and Lee for fighting hard to win two consecutive Olympic golds, both times against Chinese opponents.
“They are the glory of the country,” said Lai, whom China has branded a “separatist” and someone who has undermined peace between the two sides.
Cheng Li-chun, deputy head of Taiwan’s executive branch, told the crowd at Taipei station that Wang and Lee’s success showed Taiwan’s spirit and “allowed the world to see Taiwan.”
“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 local Taipei resident, in the crowd.