Taiwan cheers Olympics badminton triumph over China in politically charged contest
Taiwan celebrated a politically charged badminton gold medal win over China in the Paris Olympics, highlighting geopolitical tensions.
Taiwan's Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang captured the gold medal in men's doubles badminton by defeating China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in a thrilling three-game match. This win at the Paris Olympics ignited celebrations across cities in Taiwan, reflecting the island’s ongoing geopolitical struggles with China.
Taipei's main train station saw over 1,000 spectators cheering every point won by the home team, while some fans faced restrictions due to Olympic rules prohibiting political messaging. President Lai Ching-te commended the athletes in a call to Wang's father, describing their achievement as a testament to Taiwan's strength.
The victory also sparked conversations about Taiwan's international status and aspirations. Cheng Li-chun, deputy head of Taiwan's executive yuan, and local residents, expressed hopes for a future where Taiwan can freely display its national flag without interference.