Cherish Taiwan’s Opportunity as Host to the Universiade

  Cherish Taiwan’s Opportunity as Host to the Universiade

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

August 20, 2017

 Translation of an Excerpt

The 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade opened yesterday. This is the highest level, the largest-scale multi-event international athletic meet sponsored by our country in all these years, and this may most likely be the last time to host such a large-scale event in recent years; hence, it is even more precious. We welcome university athletes from over 100 countries in the world, offering our cheers and blessings to their competitions in sports, and we hope that the public, when meeting the international athletes in the streets, in a chance encounter, will show the warmth of the hosts as much as possible.

Tsai Ying-wen yesterday, in her capacity of "President of the Republic of China," declared “the games begin.” Although she did not deliver remarks, this more or less assuaged the shadow over "Chinese Taipei," a moniker people didn’t really like. In any case, the true salient point of the Universiade is the competitions on the field; Taipei as the host city should use of this opportunity of an international athletic meet among young people to also sell Taiwan. Those who claim to love Taiwan should not bury their head in the political sand, forgetting to raise their head in order to welcome our foreign friends.

The first news of victory in this Universiade came yesterday; the host women's soccer team beat Argentina three to zero; this is to be congratulated. We have altogether joined 13 World Universiades, with the total medal count ranking in the top ten, an excellent record. This time Taiwan’s athletes, being able to compete on our own nation’s stage, should have the home court advantage; we hope the public will give them the greatest encouragement.

The games have begun; let’s jettison politics for the time being! Please receive athletes from all countries with enthusiasm; this is the performance of a friendly city and a progressive country. Let athletes of all countries challenge themselves in this athletic feast pursuing excellence and fulfilling their dreams. Go, World Universiade! Go, Taiwan!

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