Widely regarded as the pinnacle of sports, the Olympics provide unforgettable memories for those who win medals.

Unfortunately for two sets of Chinese medallists at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, the event will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.

The women’s volleyball team was one of 26 gold medals for China at the Rio GamesCredit: Getty

China began the 2016 Olympics in strong fashion as Du Li and Yi Siling secured the silver and bronze medals respectively in the women’s 10m air rifle event.

But when it came to the medal ceremony, the pair and millions more were left in a state of total disbelief as their flags were hoisted.

That’s because the incorrect Chinese flag was displayed.

Although the versions of the flag displayed in Rio appear strikingly similar to the actual Chinese flag, there remained a subtle but distinctive difference between the two.

Chinese state-run newspaper People’s Daily wrote: “The botched flag has been a source of public disappointment among Chinese netizens and viewers.”

Mario Andrada, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games executive communications director, noted the error and confirmed he would quickly correct it.

The Chinese flag displayed is incorrect due to the positioning of the starsCredit: Olympic Channel

Meanwhile, players held up the correct version of their national flagCredit: Getty

“We do understand there is a problem with the flag,” Andrada said.

“It’s very small. You have to be very familiar with the Chinese flag to understand that.

“However, we need to correct it.”

Andrada added the flags made for the Rio Games ‘had been approved by the Chinese prior to production’, but amended editions were on their way.

However, the Chinese firm that was blamed for the error insisted they were not to blame.

“We are not responsible for the wrong Chinese national flags that are used at the Olympics ceremonies,” a spokesperson for Zheijang Wuyi Jinyu Textile Co Ltd said.

Several vented their frustrations on social media regarding the flag fiascoCredit: AFP

“The national flags we’ve manufactured are for the audiences. Being Chinese, how can we get the Chinese national flags wrong?!”

The Rio Olympic committee later conceded the incorrect Chinese flags had been manufactured in Brazil.

Thankfully, the correct Chinese flag was used for the remainder of the 2016 Olympics.

But, in a remarkable mishap, the wrong Chinese flag was wheeled out one last time.

As China’s women’s volleyball team collected the country’s 26th and final Olympic medal in Brazil, the flag with the parallel stars was hoisted up.

The error kicked up another serious stink on Weibo.

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One user said: “Making such a mistake again is really absurd! Chinese people can’t accept the apology from Rio Olympic Committee.”

Chinese state TV also fumed over the matter as they posted a picture of the incorrect flags along with the caption: “The national flag is a symbol of a country! No mistakes are allowed!”