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Huang Yu Ting
Photo: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Taiwan's Premier Su Tseng-chang has called for a punishment for Taiwanese speed skater Huang Yu-ting, who wore a Chinese national team suit during training and posted a video of it on social media.
The premier asked the sports administration in Taipei to investigate the "inappropriate process" so that the 33-year-old "gets an appropriate punishment," the Taiwanese media quoted the government spokesman as saying on Sunday.
Huang is one of four athletes to represent Taiwan, which is only allowed to compete as "Chinese Taipei," at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Since the communist leadership in Beijing sees the democratic island only as part of the People's Republic, dealing with national symbols and designations is a delicate matter between the two sides.
Got a suit from a friend on the Chinese team
The video appearance of the athlete in the black and red suit with the inscription "China" and a small red national flag had sparked a controversy in Taiwan before the winter games.
In response, Huang deleted the video and reportedly commented, "Sport is sport and in the world of sports we don't differentiate between nationalities.
We're all good friends after the games.« She got the suit from a friend in the Chinese team.
Taiwan's sports administration initially refrained from punishment and only criticized the athlete for not having enough sensitivity for the delicate relations between China and Taiwan.
Huang even acted as the flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
The Taiwan Olympic Committee has now announced an April review of the incident when Huang returns from subsequent competitions in the US in March.
mfu/dpa