TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – On the opening day of the Paris Olympics, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow Taiwan to compete under its own name instead of “Chinese Taipei.”

In a statement Friday (July 26), the United States-based advocacy group said the name was a “discriminatory misnomer.” Chinese pressure has forced its use since 1984, while Taiwan also had to replace its national flag and anthem with another flag and song.

The name Chinese Taipei also implies that Taiwan has been a part of China and of the People’s Republic of China, which it has never been, FAPA said in the statement drawn up with Taiwanese-American organizations. The group concluded with the call to let Taiwan be Taiwan and allow its athletes to compete at the Olympics as representatives of Taiwan.

FAPA also referred to a resolution proposed in the U.S. Congress in June also calling for the IOC to drop the name “Chinese Taipei” and let Taiwan choose its own name, flag, and anthem at the Summer Games.