China has vented its fury after subtle mistakes were noticed in its national flag on display at the Olympics, with media, sports officials and the country’s diplomats seeking answers to the apparent mix-up.

“I am not nit-picking because of obsessive compulsive disorder, but this is the national flag,” said Cui Yongyuan, a Chinese television presenter.

“It is a principle that even primary school students would understand,” he added on Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, where he has nine million followers.

The correct Chinese flag features one large star, with four smaller stars in a semicircle rotated to point toward the larger one.

However, the four smaller stars that appeared on flags used in medal ceremonies at the start of the Olympics were parallel with each other.