If you thought the pineapple-on-pizza debate was spicy, the 2024 Paris Olympics just turned up the heat. In a men’s foil fencing final that had the world watching, Hong Kong’s Edgar Cheung (Cheung Ka Long) edged out Italy’s Filippo Macchi 15-14, clinching back-to-back Olympic golds and making history for Hong Kong. But the drama didn’t end on the piste. It spilled over onto social media, into official protests—and even onto pizza. Let’s first hear from our sponsor of today:

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The Italian Fencing Federation didn’t take the loss lightly, filing a formal protest over the refereeing and calling the outcome “unacceptable.” They argued that the referee selection breached guidelines meant to avoid conflicts of interest, and Macchi’s coach insisted his fencer was the “moral winner.” Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Cheung, now a two-time Olympic champion, was hailed as a hero back home, having inspired a new generation of fencers since his first gold in Tokyo.

As the dust settled, fans from both sides took to Instagram and comment sections, trading barbs over who truly deserved the gold. The Italian side felt robbed; Hong Kong supporters celebrated a hard-fought victory. The fencing world hasn’t seen a rivalry this sharp in years.

Then came the twist nobody saw coming: pineapple pizza. In a cheeky move, Pizza Hut in Hong Kong offered free pineapple toppings to celebrate Cheung’s win, poking fun at the Italian stereotype of hating pineapple on pizza. The gesture was a playful jab, but it quickly became a viral meme, symbolizing the clash of tradition (Italy’s pizza purism) and innovation (Hong Kong’s Olympic breakthrough).

Social media lit up with pineapple pizza jokes, insults, and memes, turning the fencing final into a cultural showdown that went far beyond sport. For many, the debate over pineapple on pizza became a stand-in for larger questions about tradition, change, and national pride.

Here’s the kicker: pineapple on pizza wasn’t dreamed up in Italy or Hawaii. It was actually invented in Canada in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant who was inspired by the sweet-and-sour flavors common in Chinese cuisine—think sweet and sour pork. That’s right, the controversial topping owes its existence to Canadian creativity and a love for sweet-savory combos.

So next time you find yourself cringing at pineapple on your pizza, you can blame Canada…and sweet and sour pork.

This Olympic episode is a goldmine for anyone who loves history. It’s a reminder that food, sport, and national identity are deeply intertwined—and that the stories we tell about them often take on lives of their own. The fencing final wasn’t just about athletic skill; it was about rules, fairness, and the way cultural myths (like Italians hating pineapple pizza) can be used to celebrate, provoke, or even heal after a tough loss.

For historians and history geeks, it’s a case study in how traditions are challenged, how rivalries are forged, and how even something as simple as a pizza topping can become a symbol of global debate. It’s also a lesson in how quickly history can be made—and remade—by the people who live it, watch it, and meme it.

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