“This accusation is false and we demand a full explanation,” Tai said Nov. 18, adding that the Cabinet-level Sports Affairs Council will pursue the matter with international authorities if the WTF refuses to back down.
Yang Jin-suk, secretary-general of the WTF, said earlier in the day that the Taiwanese athlete was ejected from the bout for wearing electronic sensors on her heels in violation of tournament regulations. Tai described the statement as “contradictory” in light of the WTF’s initial position that the athlete was disqualified for using socks banned since July.
The SAC said Taiwanese team officials had examined footage that clearly shows the extra sensors being removed from Yang Shu-chun’s socks before the match began. This was confirmed by the athlete during a post-bout interview.
“I entered the competition area only after the official approved my socks in a pre-match inspection,” she said. “The extra sensors were immediately removed following an official request during the warm-up.”
Yang called on the WTF to review footage of the incident and clear her name. “The official should be questioned and forced to explain the reason for my disqualification,” she said.
ROC Premier Wu Den-yih said the SAC will protect the rights of Taiwanese athletes and urged the nation’s Asian Games team members not to let the incident affect their performances.
“The government fully supports Yang and will not back down over this incident.” (JSM)
Write to Elaine Hou at elainehou@mail.gio.gov.tw