Taiwan Today

The main structure of the athletes’ village for the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade was unveiled Aug. 15, with the local government vowing to make athletes feel at home as they take part in the largest international sports event ever staged in Taiwan for next August. “We designed the village with the aim of housing athletes from different cultural backgrounds in a secure environment and making them feel at home,” said Su Li-chung, CEO of the Universiade Organizing Committee under the Taipei City Government. According to Su, the design and planning of the village—originally intended for public housing—won accolades in May from International University Sports Federation, the Switzerland-based organization responsible for overseeing the Universiade. “Of all the cities to host the games, Taipei is the only one to provide detailed project information and a specific construction timeline. We are extremely confident the athletes’ village will do the nation proud.” Situated in Linkou District of neighboring New Taipei City in northern Taiwan, the village comprises 34 buildings separated into two compounds linked by a skybridge. A total of 23 buildings featuring 2,200 multisized units will be used for the Universiade. Set for completion in March next year, the Wi-Fi-enabled village boasts amenities like fitness centers, infirmaries, and prayer and recreation rooms. In addition, its furnishings showcase Taiwan’s leading-edge design capabilities and strong reputation in the international hospitality industry. Another feature of the village is its catering services offering Taiwanese dishes, as well as Asian, halal, Mediterranean and vegetarian fare, 20 hours a day. The kitchens and staffers, which are expected to meet daily demand of 35,000 to 45,000 meals, will be put through their paces during a test run next July before the village’s official opening the following month. The Summer Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival staged every two years in a different city. The 29th edition of the games in Taipei involves an estimated 7,700-plus athletes from 150 countries and territories. (SCK-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw