Angry Chinese complain their stars are not aligned

Above and top, left: The controversy over the Chinese flags being used at the Rio Olympics revolves around the orientation of the four small stars on the flags and the way in which they should be placed in relation to the main star.
The controversy over the Chinese flags being used at the Rio Olympics revolves around the orientation of the four small stars on the flags and the way in which they should be placed in relation to the main star. PHOTO: REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Above and top, left: The controversy over the Chinese flags being used at the Rio Olympics revolves around the orientation of the four small stars on the flags and the way in which they should be placed in relation to the main star.
The controversy over the Chinese flags being used at the Rio Olympics revolves around the orientation of the four small stars on the flags and the way in which they should be placed in relation to the main star. PHOTO: REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

RIO DE JANEIRO • The Rio Olympic Committee is looking into replacing the Chinese flags being used at medal ceremonies after a diplomatic protest and online fury, it said.

Chinese media reported that the stars on the Chinese flags raised during the swimming and shooting medal ceremonies were incorrectly positioned, leading to complaints in China.

"All the flags used by the Rio 2016 committee are approved by the National Olympic Committees. We are working with the Chinese delegation to find a solution to this issue," a spokesman for the committee told Reuters on Sunday.

The small stars on the Chinese flag are supposed to all point towards the large star, but at the Rio Games, the flags have small stars all pointing upwards.

China's consulate-general in Rio de Janeiro said in a social media posting on Monday that it had made a formal complaint to the Brazilian organising committee.

"The national flag is the symbol of a country. No mistakes are allowed," Chinese broadcaster CCTV declared.

To make matters worse, it was later revealed by Chinese media that the flags were manufactured in China.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 09, 2016, with the headline Angry Chinese complain their stars are not aligned. Subscribe