 |
Most
of the Chinese flags being used at medal ceremonies at the Rio Olympics are
incorrect, including the one lifted by Chinese fencer Lei Sheng at the opening
ceremony ©Franck Fife (AFP)
|
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
report continues:
Chinese
internet users were quick to detect a "plot" against the world's most
populous country, which came second in the medals table at London 2012, and
branded the Brazilian organizers the "worst ever".
The
Chinese flag features one large star -- representing the Communist Party --
half surrounded by four smaller stars tilted to point toward the centre of the
bigger one.
But
the small stars on the Rio flags, including the one lifted by Chinese fencer
Lei Sheng at the opening ceremony Friday, all point upwards.
The
official design is intended to symbolizes the four classes -- workers, farmers,
urban petty bourgeoisie, and national bourgeoisie, as defined by Mao Zedong in
a 1949 book -- supporting the Communist leadership.
China's
consulate-general in Rio de Janeiro said in a social media posting Monday that
it had made a formal complaint to the Brazilian organizing committee.
The
organizers apologized for the mistake and will contact the manufacturer to
correct it, it added, denying reports that the flag maker was a Chinese firm.
But
Chinese internet users were unmollified.
"As
a 20-year old who's watched three Olympic games, this is really the worst one.
They are the least dedicated and hold evident hostility" to China, said a
poster on China's Twitter-like Weibo.
Other
users questioned Brazil's ability to organize the world's biggest sporting
event.
"The
Olympics organized by Rio are horrible," said one. "The conditions
are substandard and people are frightened by the gun fights."
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