Most of the five stars on the Chinese flags being used at medal ceremonies at the Rio Olympics are misaligned, officials said, prompting a diplomatic protest and online fury. / AFP PHOTO / STR
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) – Rio Olympics organisers said they would replace the Games’ official Chinese flags on Monday after the discovery of a design flaw which caused fury in China.
A spokesman insisted the design had been approved by Chinese officials but he said their Brazilian manufacturer was now rushing to produce correct flags.
The realisation that the four small, golden stars on the Chinese emblem are pointing upwards rather than towards the bigger star, as they are supposed to, sparked recriminations among patriotic Chinese.
“We do understand that there is a problem with the flag. It’s very small,” said Games spokesman Mario Andrada.
“You have to be very familiar with the Chinese flag to understand that. However we need to correct it.”
Flag-bearer Lei Sheng carried the erroneous Chinese standard at the Games’ opening ceremony, and by early on day three the Chinese flag had been hoisted eight times in honour of medallists from the country.
The design of the Chinese flag is highly symbolic, as the bigger star represents the ruling Communist Party and the smaller ones demonstrate its support from China’s four classes: workers, farmers, urban petite bourgeoisie and national bourgeoisie.
China’s consulate-general made a formal complaint to the organising committee, who took the problem to the company that made the flags.
“Yesterday we managed to contact the company who produces the flags and they are producing a bunch of flags with the correct design now. The first flags should be delivered here shortly,” Andrada said.
“But it’s important to emphasise that while we’re not happy with this situation, the flag as it was approved by the Chinese authorities based in Brazil. We are working quickly as possible to replace the flags.”
One Chinese internet user accused organisers of a “plot” against China, while another said they hold “evident hostility” to the country which hosted the 2008 Olympics.
The Chinese have cut an unhappy camp in Rio, with several athletes complaining about conditions at the athletes’ village and the foreign ministry warning of “frequent” theft in the Brazilian city.
Australian swimmer Mack Horton’s comment that China’s Sun Yang was a “drugs cheat” also drew outrage, with state-run media slamming Australia as a former “offshore prison” in response.