Rio 2016: Does the Chinese public have a victim narrative?

One week into the Olympic Games and Chinese patriots have a lot of complaints.

A brief shortlist might start with judges biased against Chinese athletes. In all Rio venues, the points of the gold stars on the Chinese national flag were misaligned.

On one occasion where a Chinese and US athlete drew for bronze, the Chinese flag was positioned below the American flag. An Australian and a French swimmer made doping allegations against a Chinese swimmer and failed to apologise.

And back to the beginning, China's gymnasts were robbed, China's weightlifters were robbed, China's swimmers were robbed.

The volleyball team only avoided being robbed by standing up to Swiss bullying (Yes that's a nation of 8 million bullying one of 1.4 billion, 175 times bigger).

What is the root of all this paranoia?

"As we mature in mentality, learn how to appreciate competition, and become able to calmly applaud our rivals, we showcase the confidence and tolerance of a great country," suggested China's state broadcaster CCTV on day one of the Rio Olympics. If only.

On the face of it, the Chinese public have every reason to display confidence and tolerance. Their athletes are bringing gold and glory on the international sporting stage just as their political leaders prepare to welcome the rich world at the G20 summit of powerful economies.

But if CCTV believes tolerance and confidence should be the overriding Olympic mood, it needs to get that message across to its viewers.

According to one poll, more than 80% of the public think Rio's judges have a sinister bias against China. Only 16% believe other countries might equally be the victim of bad calls.

 

Author: 
BBC