A flag presentation ceremony was held by the Ministry of Education Jan. 16 in Taipei City for Taiwan athletes taking part in the ninth edition of the Asian Winter Games to be held Feb. 7-14 in the Chinese city of Harbin.
During the ceremony, Deputy Minister Chang Liao Wan-chien said this year’s national team comprises a record 67 athletes, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting winter sports. He urged team members to go all out in representing the country, with the goal of flying the flag for Taiwan at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
The deputy minister thanked the athletes and their coaches for their rigorous training schedule and outing over the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays. With the new sports ministry set to be launched later this year, more resources will be dedicated to athletes participating in global competitions, he added.
According to the Sports Administration, local athletes will compete in Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating and short-track speed skating. Among the competitors, Lee Wen-yi and Lee Chieh-han, taking part in women’s Alpine skiing and men’s cross-country skiing, respectively, have both been qualified for the Olympic Games.
This year will also mark the debut for Taiwan’s women curling and ice hockey teams at the quadrennial games, the SA added. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw