Taiwan? Chinese Taipei?

Today, we explore an agreement that shaped how Taiwan participates in the Olympic Games and many other international sporting events. It’s called the Lausanne Agreement, and it serves as the foundation of what is often referred to as the Olympic Protocol or the Olympic Model.

In the late 1970s, due to the shift in global politics and Taiwan’s withdrawal from the United Nations in 1971, Taiwan faced increasing pressure in the international sporting world. Many of its sports organizations were removed from global federations, and Taiwanese athletes were blocked from participating in key international competitions. This not only hurt athlete development, but also isolated Taiwan from global sports diplomacy.

After years of negotiation and compromise, on March 23, 1981, in the Swiss city of Lausanne, Taiwan’s National Olympic Committee—known today as the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee—signed an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This agreement is known as the Lausanne Agreement, and it laid out the specific terms under which Taiwan could re-enter the international Olympic movement.

Under this agreement, Taiwan would compete under the name Chinese Taipei, using a specially designed flag and emblem approved by the IOC. The anthem and official protocol order, including how Taiwan would appear during ceremonies and in official directories, were also standardized. For example, Chinese Taipei is listed under the letter "T" with the code TPE.

One of the core features of the Olympic Protocol is that Taiwan retains equal rights as other national Olympic committees. According to the Lausanne Agreement, the IOC committed to helping Chinese Taipei restore its memberships in international sports federations, giving Taiwanese athletes the right to participate once again in international events, including the Olympic Games.

In 1989, to address cross-strait sports exchanges, the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee and China’s Olympic Committee signed a supplementary agreement in Hong Kong. It clarified that when Taiwan’s teams participate in sports events in China, all official materials, from name tags to broadcasts, would use the name “中華台北” (Chinese Taipei) in Chinese, in line with IOC rules.

Today, the Olympic Protocol governs not only Olympic-related activities but also applies to other international sports events and cross-strait exchanges. It ensures Taiwan’s athletes can compete globally with consistency, dignity, and recognition. It also binds Taiwan’s sports organizations to uphold the terms of this protocol. Violating the agreement could result in disqualification of athletes or even the suspension of an organization’s membership, which makes it a deeply serious matter.

While the name "Chinese Taipei" may be politically sensitive, the Olympic Protocol has allowed generations of Taiwanese athletes to shine on the world stage. From the parade of nations to the podium, it has offered a path for participation, inclusion, and visibility. It represents a careful balance between diplomacy and sport—between principle and practicality.

For Taiwan, the Lausanne Agreement is more than just a document. It’s a gateway to the Olympic dream.