China’s national pole dancing team pulled out of a major tournament after organisers failed to display their national flag, media reported, an incident which sparked anger on the Chinese web.

Team members said in reported online posts that their national flag was the only one missing from a row of flags outside the venue for the PoleSport World Championship, that was being held in Florence Italy.

Organisers told the team that they would erect the Chinese flag, but when it didn’t appear by the time the semi-finals were held, the Chinese contestants who had made the final decided enough was enough, the Strait Metropolis Daily.