‘Fencing powerhouse’ Italy loses to Hong Kong, fencing federation sparks controversy over Olympic fairness Angry Hong Kong and Italian fans engage in an off-field war of words online Pizza Hut Hong Kong holds ‘pineapple topping’ event to mock Hong Kong The losing athlete says, “Hong Kong deserves a medal”
Pizza Hut Hong Kong & Macau recently announced on Facebook that in celebration of the Hong Kong team’s medal win, they are offering a free pineapple topping on pizza orders at all stores until the end of July.
What could be more offensive to provoke Italians, who are proud of their cuisine? The ‘Free Pineapple Topping’ event held by Pizza Hut Hong Kong & Macau clearly shows how fierce the online battle between Hong Kong and Italian fans is, just like the Olympics.
In the men’s foil final held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France on the 29th (local time), Hong Kong’s Tseng Kar-lung narrowly defeated Italy’s Filippo Machi 15-14 to win the gold medal. The controversy began when the referees recognized Tseng’s last point after three replays. The Italian coach responded by calling Machi a ‘moral winner’.
Paolo Acci, president of the Italian Fencing Federation, said, “Machi is the real winner,” and “He did not receive the gold medal he deserved.” The Italian Olympic Committee also added, “The referees for the final were from Korea and Taiwan, which border Hong Kong.”
For Italy, which had the honor of being a ‘fencing powerhouse’, it may have been difficult to admit this defeat. Italy was the country that won the most gold medals in fencing (48) up until the previous Tokyo Olympics.
When Italy poured cold water on the festive mood, Hong Kong fans also fought back. Cheung Kar-lung is the first Hong Kong athlete to win gold medals in two Olympics (Tokyo and Paris). With only two gold medals until the Tokyo Olympics, Cheung Kar-lung’s victory was even more precious to Hong Kong fans. Hong Kong fans who were determined to “defend Cheung Kar-lung” and Italian fans whose pride was hurt engaged in a heated argument outside the stadium, using Cheung Kar-lung’s Instagram account as a stage.
“To celebrate this joyful day, all restaurants are offering free pineapple toppings on pizza orders.” In this context, Pizza Hut’s event can be interpreted as an attempt to mock “Italians who insist on their own aesthetic philosophy and traditions” not only in the cooking method but also when eating it. In January, CNN reported that a pizza artisan in Naples, Italy, created a pineapple pizza to “break the stereotype,” but the restaurant’s social network service (SNS) account was filled with insulting comments. Hong Kong Pizza Hut plans to offer free pineapple toppings on pizzas ordered until the end of July. On the 30th (local time), the New York Times reported that “Hong Kong’s second attack on Italy has begun after the gold medal.” Maki, who lost this match, is indifferent even to the urging of his domestic fans to join in criticizing the referees. He said on his SNS, “A champion I respected once said, ‘You have to respect the victory of a medalist,’” and “This (Cheong Ka-long) medal also deserves joy and happiness.” 파워볼사이트