Tokyo Olympics: IOC to investigate after Chinese gold medallists wear Mao Zedong pins on podium, as state TV edits out badges
- Cycling team sprint champions Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi may have breached IOC’s Rule 50 that bans political paraphernalia or gestures during medal ceremony
- IOC spokesperson Mark Adams says the Chinese delegation has promised no repeat of the incident and would cooperate with the body’s inquiries
Olympic chiefs say they have launched an investigation after China’s two track cycling sprint gold medallists wore pins bearing the image of the country’s founding father, Mao Zedong, during the medal ceremony.
The Chinese duo of Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi may have breached International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules on the display of political paraphernalia as they celebrated on the podium after clocking 31.895 seconds to beat Germany in the final and win gold in the women’s team sprint. Bao and Zhong had earlier set a world record of 31.805 seconds.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the body had asked for a report from the Chinese Olympic Committee and had launched a formal investigation.
“These things do take time and we do need to hear people,” said Adams. “There would be, otherwise, you know, all sorts of issues and rumours floating around and we need to get to the bottom of it. We need to hear everybody involved.”
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Mao badges worn by Chinese medallists on Olympic podium prompt investigation at Tokyo Games
On Wednesday, Adams said the Chinese delegation told the IOC they would provide a report “soon” and offered an assurance there would be no repeat of its athletes wearing the badges.
