Post shows 2023 photoshoot, not Chinese Olympic uniform | Fact check

Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY
·2 min read

The claim: Image shows China's Olympic uniform inspired by Palestinian flag

A July 20 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a woman in a green and black outfit holding a bow and arrow in front of a streak of red fabric.

"China has chosen a design of the Palestinian flag for the Paris 2024 Olympics," reads the post's caption.

The post was shared more than 1,000 times in six days. Similar versions of the claim were shared on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.

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Our rating: False

The photo was featured in a 2023 issue of Vogue China and doesn't show the 2024 Olympic design. China's uniform for the Paris Olympics is red and white.

Photo from sports-themed Vogue photoshoot

The photo was featured in a September 2023 issue of Vogue China that had nothing to do with the Olympics. Vogue's logo can be seen in the bottom-right corner of the Facebook post.

The magazine article includes pictures of the model, He Cong, posing with various athletic equipment, including a javelin, volleyball and fencing sword. Cong is pictured wearing the black and green outfit in front of both blue and red fabric.

Vogue China shared a clip of Cong wearing the black and green outfit on Instagram in August 2023, and the shoot's stylist, Vivienne Sun, shared the photo online days later. Both were posted weeks before Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Vogue China's article and Instagram caption both reference the Hangzhou Asian Games, which were held in China Sept. 23 to Oct. 8. 2023.

Fact check: Israel not 'out' of Olympics, is sending 85 athletes to Paris

China's Olympic uniforms, which were unveiled on June 25, consist of red pants and a white t-shirt or jacket. The black and green colors that are prominent in the Palestinian flag are not included. The jackets and shirts feature the Chinese flag, the Olympic Games logo and the logo of the Chinese sportswear brand that designed the uniforms, Anta.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has previously shown support for Palestinians, pledging more humanitarian aid to Gaza and condemning Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: China's Olympic uniform doesn't match Palestinian flag | Fact check

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