Exclusive | Angry Chinese table tennis superfans threaten Paris Olympics protest over squad selection
- Group say they could disrupt broadcast in China with banners Western media would be ‘very interested’ in, after being censored at home
A group of Chinese table tennis superfans have threatened to protest at the Paris Olympics over the decision not to pick one of the country’s best players – after saying authorities had silenced them at home.
Members told the Post that fans at the Games were likely to hold up banners and distribute fliers as part of a continuing campaign against the decision of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) to leave out world No 2 Wang Manyu.
Their efforts to be heard have brought them into conflict with China’s censors and turned the campaign into what one member called “a social justice movement”. It has also shed light on levels of fan devotion that the government has termed “deformed”.
Supporters of Wang said Chinese authorities had moved to shut down their discussions, after they claimed the 2023 Asian champion’s omission from the women’s singles team showed the selection process was unfair.
“Given how the CTTA and [government agency] the General Administration of Sport of China handled this matter, I am sure there will be protests in Paris,” Huang Jiaxin* said. “There are fans based in Paris who are working to advocate for Wang.”
Huang said protesting at the Olympics could make their point by disrupting China’s broadcast of the event.
