BTN News: China recently marked a momentous achievement in its Olympic history, with an impressive haul of 40 gold medals at the Paris Games. This victory ties China with the United States for the most golds won by any nation during these Games. For China, this represents its best performance at an Olympics held outside its borders. While the overall medal tally for the U.S. was higher, with a total of 126 medals compared to China’s 91, the debate around who truly “won” the Games took on a nuanced dimension back home in China.
Many Chinese citizens on social media, particularly on Weibo, shared an alternate perspective on the medal standings, one that included the achievements of athletes from Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the medals won by these territories—four from Hong Kong, including two golds, and seven from Taiwan, with two golds—were counted together with China’s, the total would make China’s Olympic performance appear even more dominant. These discussions reflect deeper sentiments of national pride and unity, with some considering these regions’ victories as part of a broader Chinese success story.
This sentiment was echoed in the Chinese state media, which was quick to praise the nation’s athletes and celebrate the country’s Olympic accomplishments. The Beijing Daily attributed this success to the rapid development of China and its long-term social stability, describing the Olympic performance as a “double miracle.” Meanwhile, the Global Times referred to the results as a “reflection of an irreversible historical trend,” further fueling the national narrative of China’s rise on the global stage.
Despite these celebrations, the shadow of doping accusations loomed over China’s swimming team. In April, the New York Times reported that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance, trimetazidine, in early 2021. However, no sanctions were imposed after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted the Chinese explanation that the positive tests were the result of food contamination. This controversy, however, did little to dampen the triumphant mood in China, with the state-run Xinhua news agency choosing to focus on the athletes’ role in “spreading friendship” at the Paris Games rather than engage with what they termed “malicious provocations.”
The contrasting narratives surrounding China’s Olympic success—whether viewed through the lens of a traditional medal count or a more expansive interpretation that includes Hong Kong and Taiwan—highlight the complexities of national identity and pride. For China, these Games were more than just a competition; they were a powerful statement of the country’s growing influence and aspirations on the global stage. As the celebrations continue, this Olympic performance will likely be remembered as a milestone in China’s journey toward what it sees as its rightful place at the forefront of international sports and global affairs.
