Unexpected. The press agency Xinhua reports that the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) has decided to protect its athletes from illegal registration of their names as trademarks. Since the end of the Tokyo 2020 Games, this fraudulent practice has reportedly intensified in China. Among the main victims, several gold medalists, including the young shooter Yang Qian (photo above), the table tennis player Chen Meng, and the diver Quan Hongchan, only 14 years old. A COC report reveals that these three Olympic champions have had their names illegally registered as trademarks, in sectors as diverse as alcoholic beverages, sports clothing and academic support. Yang Qian, 21, crowned at the Tokyo Games in the 10m rifle and in the mixed event, has reportedly been the subject of several requests for trademark registration linked to her name. In the case of Quan Hongchan, victorious in the 10m dive, there were 19 illegal requests. And this, in less than a week. “ The rights and interests of athletes must be respected, explained the Chinese Olympic Committee in a press release. Any registration of athlete names as trademarks without the authorization of the athletes or their guardians is prohibited. Any offender must cease their action. Athletes or their guardians, if they are minors, have the right to take legal action against the perpetrators of these illegal recordings. »
