Australian Surfer’s Rising Sun Flag Surfboard Faces Major Backlash From Korea
It was revealed that an Australian surfer in the Paris Olympics attempted to use a surfboard with a Rising Sun flag design. However, due to protests from Korea, the design was withdrawn before the competition.
Sungshin Woman’s University professor Seo Gyeong Deok reported the news on Facebook on August 2, citing an article from a Japanese sports media outlet.
Previously, Australian surfer Jack Robinson posted a photo of the controversial surfboard on Instagram.
The caption read, “Two days left. A board inspired by AI.”
AI is the initials of legendary surfer Andy Irons, who also used the Rising Sun flag design surfboard before passing in 2010.
Recently, the Korean Surfing Team and Korean Sports Council saw the photos and protested to the Australian Olympic Committee in Paris.
They later received a response from Robinson a day before the start of the Olympics, who stated, “The Rising Sun flag board will not be used at the Olympics.”
Korea Surfing Team coach Song Min stated, “Many Westerners have used the Rising Sun flag design. We urge them to stop using this design for marketing, and we plan to request the ISA and global surfing community to refrain from using it.”
Korean netizens were appalled at the news that an athlete attending the Olympics would make this kind of mistake.
- “Wow to use the Rising Sun flag at the Olympics.”
- “Such an ignorant b*stard.”
- “So f*cking ignorant. His head must be f*cking empty.”
- “Crazy.”
- “Wow so f*cking ignorant.”
- “Is he crazy? Can’t believe an Olympic athlete is this ignorant.”
- “Living in Australia and worshipping the Japanese emperor.”
- “Good thing we protested about this.”
- “Crazy. Why don’t you try using the Nazi flag?”
- “Ignorant b*stard.”
- “So f*cking ignorant.”
- “Might as well use a Nazi design why don’t you. Learn if you’re ignorant.”
- “Your country was also taken by war criminals. Get your head straight, man.”
- “I’m glad we are good at protesting about things like this.”
- “So f*cking ignorant.”
- “Totally showing off how ignorant he is.”
- “Does he think this is something to be proud of?”
What are your thoughts on this?
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