| China established relations with the IOC soon after World War I. After vigorous Chinese participation in the early editions of the Far East Games, the IOC recognized a Chinese National Olympic Committee. Subsequently, China entered athletes in the Olympic Games of 1932, 1936 and 1948.; The civil war which resulted in the defeat of China's nationalist government and its subsequent retreat to the island of Formosa in December 1949, prompted confusion within the IOC. Two national sport organizations emerged, one in the PRC and one on Formosa, each claiming to represent each other's athletes in international sport affairs. The developing East-West Cold War polarized attitudes and influenced discussions within the IOC on Chinese representation in the Olympic Games. For thirty years the major barrier preventing solution of the problem was the question of names, that is, the insistence by each in being referred to in all global matters as the Republic of China. The initial impasse reached its climax with the PRC's withdrawal from the Olympic Movement in 1958.; In the 1970s the international situation changed and, combined with an improvement in political and economic environments in the PRC, a solution was reached on the "Two Chinas" issue. The PRC was admitted to the IOC as a full Olympic partner in 1976. Prime factors in the formula for solution of the problem were: (1) the PRC was recognized by the United States and Taiwan was expelled in 1971, (2) the PRC developed a better dialogue and relationship with the IOC, primarily due to Avery Brundage's retirement as president, (3) changing relationship with the United States, (4) increasing international respect and recognition, and (5) the PRC' s internal environment for change was improved by the death of Mao in 1979 and the progressive initiatives of his eventual successor, Deng Xiao Ping. |
