President Lai Ching-te presented a team flag to Taiwan’s athletes heading to the Paris Summer Games July 9, urging the athletes to represent their country with courage and honor.
The president made the remarks during a special ceremony at the National Sports Training Center in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Mayor Chen Chi-mai was in attendance, as were French Office in Taipei Director Franck Paris and other senior officials and lawmakers.
Lai thanked the athletes for their commitment and rigorous training over the years in preparation for the Olympics. Their dedication and sacrifice for the chance to represent Taiwan on the world’s biggest international sporting stage is truly inspiring, he said, adding that all segments of society will stand in unity and root for them.
The president said no effort is being spared to provide for the athletes accommodation, logistic and meal arrangements, including shipping quality produce, food products and medical treatment equipment from Taiwan to Paris.
The president said Team Taiwan took home two gold, four silver and six bronze medals at the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021. He expressed confidence in the national team’s ability to deliver an even more impressive performance this time.
In a post on his official X account, Lai said “Excited to cheer on our athletes as they gear up for the @Paris2024 Olympics & @Paralympics. Your dedication & vision got you here, & I’m sure you’ll soar on the global stage. We support you at every stage of the journey—Go #TeamTaiwan!”
According to the Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration, 60 athletes, accompanied by a support team of 30 sports professionals, will contest 16 sports at the quadrennial games taking place from July 26 to Aug. 11 in the French capital. These include archery, badminton, golf, judo, swimming, table tennis, tennis and weightlifting. (SFC-E)
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