Taiwan cuts funding for Olympic speed skater who wore China uniform ‘for friendship’

Huang Yu-ting posted a clip on social media wearing China’s team outfit, drawing ire from netizens and commentators on the island

Sports Administration says government subsidies for Huang to train and compete are suspended for two years

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Taiwan’s Huang Yu-ting reacts after competing in the women’s 500m speed skating event during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:33pm, 3 Mar 2022

Taiwan’s government said on Thursday it was cutting funding for one of its Olympic flagbearers as punishment for her donning China’s national team uniform in the run-up to the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The mainland and Taiwan have been at odds for decades as Beijing regards the self-ruled island as its territory, vowing to seize it one day – by force if necessary.

Speed skater Huang Yu-ting hit a nerve after she posted a clip on social media in January wearing China’s team outfit.

The Sport Administration said government subsidies for Huang to train and compete would be suspended for two years as punishment for her “repeated controversial behaviour and remarks”.

Taiwan’s skater Huang Yu-ting in the Chinese outfit that “violated her role”, according to the island’s government. Photo: Weibo

Huang “violated her role as a member of the national team … and hurt the honour of the country as well as the people’s feelings,” it said in a statement.

The administration said it planned to revise relevant regulations governing the conduct of athletes on teams representing the island to help ensure they “maintain national dignity”.