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Three House Republicans are calling on the International Olympic Committee to stop requiring Taiwan to compete under the name “Chinese Taipei,” accusing the organization of capitulating to “bullying” from the People’s Republic of China.
The congressmen said the IOC is discriminating against Taiwan by requiring it to use the “Chinese Taipei” name as well as barring the island country of 24 million from using its national flag and playing its national anthem during medal ceremonies.
“This is not just unfair, it violates the core tenets of the Olympic Charter, which declares that ‘[e]very individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination’ and that ‘the Olympic Movement shall apply political neutrality,’” said the Thursday letter to IOC President Thomas Bach.
The letter from Reps. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, and Chris Smith of New Jersey came ahead of the Paris Olympic Games scheduled to run from July 26-Aug. 11.
China has long claimed Taiwan, or the Republic of China, as a province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an independent country. Most nations, including the U.S., have unofficial relations with Taiwan as a condition for diplomatic relations with China.
In 1972, Taiwan competed in the Olympics under the name “Republic of China,” but the name “Chinese Taipei” was essentially forced on Taiwan after the IOC recognized Beijing in 1979 as the representative body for China.
The Republicans said Taiwan is “the only participant that is treated this way,” even though the self-governing democracy “has never been under the control of the People’s Republic of China, or part of its territory, for even a single day.”
“In contrast, Puerto Rico is not forced to compete as ‘American San Juan,’ even though it is a U.S. territory,” said the letter. “Similarly, Bermuda is not compelled to compete as ‘British Hamilton,’ despite being an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.”
They said both Puerto Rico and Bermuda, unlike Taiwan, “are also permitted to use their own flags during the opening ceremony and medal award presentations.”
In the next #Olympics, Taiwan should be allowed to:
1. Participate with country name #Taiwan not Chinese Taipei
— HongKonger (@PoohTheWinnieV) July 31, 2021
2. Use Taiwan National Flag not an Olympic one
3. Use Taiwan National Anthem not a flag rising song#TaiwanIsaCountry #TaiwanIsNotChina#MilkTeaAlliance #台灣 🥳💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/21RnA0iRMq
Taiwan participates in international sports under the “Plum Blossom Banner,” a white flag with the five Olympic rings, and uses its “flag anthem” instead of its national anthem on the podium.
“These uniquely irrational Taiwan-specific restrictions have even been extended to the island nation’s fans, who have reportedly been prohibited from waving their country’s flag when attending Olympic venues. This makes no sense,” said the letter.
“We hope you and other Olympic officials will resist China’s persistent bullying and consider sweeping away these discriminatory restraints on Taiwan’s athletes and supporters before the Paris Summer Games begin later this year,” the Republicans said.
Taiwanese voters rejected a 2018 ballot referendum to replace “Chinese Taipei” with “Taiwan” in international sports events. Some athletes raised concerns that they would be excluded from the Olympics if the measure passed.
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