Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long’s triumph over Italy’s Filippo Macchi in the men’s foil at the Paris 2024 Olympics has ignited a social media storm. Cheung’s victory, which saw him become the first Hong Konger to win two Olympic gold medals, was met with celebratory posts about pineapple pizza – a culinary choice widely considered a faux pas in Italian cuisine. The heated exchange stemmed from a contentious final point, awarded to Cheung after a video review, that sparked protests from the Italian side. The Italian Fencing Federation expressed outrage, alleging “unacceptable” refereeing and demanding an investigation from the International Olympic Committee and International Fencing Federation. They argued that the final point should have gone to Macchi, citing the presence of referees from Taipei and Korea in a match between Italy and Hong Kong as evidence of bias.
The debate escalated further when Macchi’s supporters bombarded Cheung’s Instagram account with comments criticizing the officiating and claiming that the gold medal was “robbed” from their compatriot. In response, Hong Kongers, known for their love for pineapple pizza, defended Cheung by playfully referencing their beloved topping, a move that further fueled the online tension. Pizza Hut, capitalizing on the fervor, offered free pineapple toppings at their branches in Hong Kong and Macao in celebration of the win.
However, the controversy took a surprising turn when Macchi posted on Instagram, acknowledging the referees and stating that he respected their decision. His gesture of sportsmanship garnered some respect from Hong Kongers, who saw it as a sign of maturity and grace despite the loss.
Cheung’s victory also marked a historic moment for Hong Kong, securing their second gold medal in the same Olympics. Vivian Kong Man Wai, last weekend, claimed the individual epee, solidifying Hong Kong’s place in the global sporting arena. The controversy surrounding the fencing final has undoubtedly overshadowed the remarkable achievements of both athletes, but it also highlights the power of social media to amplify even the most trivial disagreements into global debates.
