Chinese athletes investigated for sneaky gold medal statement

The IOC confirmed that they were looking into the athletes to see if any breaches were made to the Olympic charter

Chinese gold medallists are under investigation by the International Olympic Committee for wearing badges depicting a controversial communist ruler.

Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi, who won gold in the women’s team sprint track cycling, wore the badges which could be a potential breach of Olympic rules on the display of political paraphernalia.

The IOC does not allow politics on the medal podium but recently relaxed the rules to allow athletes to take a knee.

Gold medallists China's Bao Shanju (L) and China's Zhong Tianshi pose with their medals on the podium after the women's track cycling team sprint finals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Picture: Greg Baker / AFP

Gold medallists China's Bao Shanju and China's Zhong Tianshi pose with their medals on the podium. Picture: Peter PARKS / AFP

The badges are being investigated by the IOC. Picture: Greg Baker / AFP

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said they were “looking into the matter”.

The badges feature the image of Mao Zedong, who is more commonly known as Chairman Mao.

He was the founding father of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party until his death in 1976.

Mao seized power in 1949 and claimed China had fallen behind the world due to the oppression of foreign countries. At the time he warned the country “no longer be a nation subject to insult and humiliation”.

Badges depicting the leader’s face were common in China for half a century during his reign.

Ms Shanju and Ms Tianshi may have made a potential breach to the Olympic charter which states no “political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas”.

As of Wednesday morning, China leads the medal tally at the 2021 games with 32 Gold, 21 Silver and 16 bronze.