The organizers of the Fengshan Marathon in Taiwan issued an apology on social media final week after awarding winners with fake gold automated rifle trophies.
Based on the Taipei Instances, the trophies resembled the Sort 95 rifle, a firearm utilized by China’s Individuals’s Liberation Military (PLA). The gun-themed trophies have been reportedly designed to replicate the marathon route, which handed by way of three army amenities affiliated with Taiwan’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection.
今天在一场台军方协办的马拉松比赛中，发放的奖杯是中国人民解放军的95 式自动步枪
“靠北，給你發95啦~” pic.twitter.com/auQHWhB7Y9
— Eason Mao
(@KELMAND1) March 16, 2025
The controversy across the trophy stems from the very fact the Sort 95 rifle is a Chinese language-made weapon and has been the standard-issue firearm for the PLA and different Chinese language forces for the reason that 90s. Given the tense relationship between Taiwan and China—the place China has claimed Taiwan as its territory for the reason that Nineteen Fifties, regardless of by no means governing the island—has sparked backlash.
One participant commented, “Is it that onerous to not use Chinese language-made trophies or medals for government-run competitions?”
In response, marathon organizers took to social media on March 17, the day after the race, to acknowledge their error. They known as using a non-domestic army firearm mannequin an “oversight,” and introduced a right away recall of the trophies, together with an apology. The organizers assured future occasions shall be dealt with with better warning.
In hindsight, a easy “prime marathon finisher” medal may need completed the job.