Sport-China's Olympic body says illegal use of athletes' names as trademarks must stop

Tokyo 2020

(Reuters) - China's Olympic Committee (COC) said it will protect its athletes from the unlawful registration of their names as trademarks, Xinhua news agency reported.

Several Chinese gold medallists from the Tokyo Games, including shooter Yang Qian, table tennis player Chen Meng and 14-year-old diver Quan Hongchan, saw their names illegally registered as trademarks in the alcohol, sportswear and tutoring industries, the report said.

Quan had at least 19 trademark applications related to her name in one week after the Olympics, the report said.

"The legitimate rights and interests of athletes must be respected," the committee said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Any registration of athletes' names as trademarks without the authorisation of athletes themselves or their guardians is forbidden. Any offenders must stop their action.

"The athletes and guardians of underage athletes have the rights to pursue the liability of relevant parties."

(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Shooting - Women
FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Shooting - Women's 10m Air Rifle - Medal Ceremony - Asaka Shooting Range, Tokyo, Japan – July 24, 2021. Gold medallist Yang Qian of China celebrates on the podium REUTERS/Ann Wang/File photo

FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Table Tennis - Women
FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Table Tennis - Women's Team - Semifinal - Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium - Tokyo, Japan - August 4, 2021. Chen Meng of China reacts after winning her match against Petrissa Solja of Germany REUTERS/Thomas Peter

FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Diving - Women
FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Diving - Women's 10m Platform - Medal Ceremony - Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 5, 2021. Gold medallist Quan Hongchan of China poses with her medal REUTERS/Marko Djurica

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