Editorial

Standing tall at the Olympics

(CNA photos)

• Publication Date：07/28/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today

The eyes of the world were on London July 27 as the Summer Games exploded into life with an opening ceremony that will long be remembered as a showcase celebration of British culture and the Olympic ideal. But for ROC citizens everywhere, the event took on even greater significance as their athletes stood tall and demonstrated the value of global sporting participation in building national pride.

Comprising 44 members, the ROC Olympic team will contest 14 sports at the 19-day games and is poised to turn in a sterling performance across the board. Although the going will be tough, the athletes are big in heart and expectations are high that they can top the nation’s record two golds, two silvers and a bronze in Athens eight years ago.

Archery, badminton, cycling, taekwondo and weightlifting are sports the country is tipped to medal in, with athletes to watch including archers Le Chien-ying, Lin Chia-en and Tan Ya-ting; badminton players Cheng Shao-chieh, Cheng Wen-hsing, Chien Yu-chin, Fang Chieh-min and Lee Sheng-mu; cyclist Hsiao Mei-yu; taekwondo fighters Tseng Li-chien, Yang Shu-chun and Wei Chen-yang; and weightlifters Hsu Shu-ching and Huang Shih-su.

The ROC government, which places a premium on sporting achievement, has allocated NT$1.6 billion (US$54 million) this year to get the nation’s Olympians in tip-top shape for London. The Sports Affairs Council-run initiative was put in place following the country’s four-bronze performance at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, a result that was seen as not quite up to scratch.

Funded primarily by Taiwan Sports Lottery proceeds, the program includes intensive training at the 37-hectare National Sports Training Center in Kaohsiung City. The state-of-the-art facility, one of the best of its kind in Taiwan, has been a flurry of activity as athletes in 26 sports sweated and strained their way through rigorous programs under the watchful eyes of local and international coaches, exercise physiologists, nutritionists and sports psychologists.

The program budget also includes provisions for monthly living allowances and bonuses for athletes and their coaches who deliver gold, silver or bronze medal performances at the games.

Despite generous financial support, meticulous preparation and world-class facilities, only a select few cross the finish line in the race for Olympic glory. The SAC understands this reality and has made provisions for the welfare of the country’s athletes after they retire from competition.

A lump-sum payment or lifetime pension, plus the promise of a job opportunity related to the athlete’s field of expertise or sporting discipline is convincing more parents to encourage their children to participate in Olympic sports and sacrifice for the glory of the nation. Taking up this torch is no small ask and every effort counts in increasing the number of hands willing to accept the challenge.

The London games are a special opportunity for ROC athletes to promote the nation on the biggest sporting stage of all. Irrespective of the medal tally, they are sure to make their fellow citizens proud and send a strong message that everyone wins when the country takes part in international events.

Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw