TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese athletes led by table tennis star Chen Po-yen (陳柏諺) and taekwondo expert Xiao Xiang-wen (蕭翔文) are preparing for the Paralympic Games in Paris, which will begin on Aug. 28.
The Chinese Taipei team secured 13 spots across seven sports, and is aiming to surpass its bronze medal win from the Tokyo Paralympics.
The Sports Administration (體育署) of the Ministry of Education (教育部) launched a "preparation plan" last December, marking the first time athletes trained at the National Training Center with professional trainers, rehabilitation therapists, and psychological counselors. This initiative aims to enhance the athletes' performance and readiness.
The Taiwan team earned qualifications in table tennis (4), badminton (4), archery (1), taekwondo (1), athletics (1), powerlifting (1), and judo (1). The youngest competitor, 17-year-old Chen, and the most experienced, 65-year-old Tseng Lung-hui (曾隆煇), a two-time bronze medalist in men's recurve archery, highlight the diverse range of athletes.
Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬堅) stated that to minimize travel fatigue, all athletes and coaches will fly business class on direct flights to and from Paris.
For the first time, a support team will accompany them, providing services such as rented meal apartments and sports centers, including rehabilitation and urology doctors to ensure the athletes' health.
The team, including Tokyo bronze medalist Tien Shiau-wen (田曉雯), who will also compete in women's doubles with Lin Tzu-yu (林姿妤), is determined to make a significant impact in Paris.
