TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Three US members of Congress sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on May 2 calling on the organization to resist Beijing’s “bullying” and to remove “discriminatory restraints” on Taiwan’s athletes before the Paris Summer Olympics .
In a letter addressed to IOC President Thomas Bach, Representatives Tom Tiffany, Andy Ogles, and Chris Smith said that for more than four decades, the IOC has bowed to pressure from Beijing to require Taiwanese athletes to compete under the name “Chinese Taipei,” with Taiwan’s national flag and anthem barred. They said this is unfair and “violates the core tenets of the Olympic Charter.”
The representatives said that Taiwan has never been controlled by the People’s Republic of China, and is the only participant subjected to this treatment. They pointed out that Puerto Rico, although a US territory, is not required to compete as “American San Juan,” and Bermuda, an overseas territory of the UK, is not forced to compete as “British Hamilton.”
In contrast to Taiwan, both territories can display their flags during the opening ceremony and medal award presentations.
They added these “uniquely irrational Taiwan-specific restrictions” have also been placed on the country’s fans, who are not allowed to wave the Taiwan flag at the opening event or award ceremonies. “This makes no sense,” wrote the congress members.
The representatives closed by urging the IOC to “resist China’s persistent bullying” and examine “sweeping away these discriminatory restraints” on Taiwanese competitors and fans before the 2024 Summer Olympics begin.
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