TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taiwan welcomed its Olympic athletes home on Tuesday (Aug. 13) with a grand gesture as President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) dispatched three F-16 fighter jets to escort the returning team, marking a patriotic tribute to their achievements.
Boxer Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) expressed her awe, stating how touched she felt seeing the F-16 fighter jets escorting athletes' planes, while adding her thanks to President Lai for valuing sports.
Officials from the Sports Administration (體育署), Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC, 中華奧林匹克委員會), Ministry of Education (教育部), and Council of Indigenous Peoples (原住民族委員會), along with representatives from the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (桃園國際機場), EVA Air (長榮航空), and Everrich Dutyfree (昇恆昌免稅商店), greeted the athletes with banners and bubble tea.
The Sports Administration reported that 54 individuals, including athletes, coaches, and staff, arrived on EVA Air flight BR88 from Paris. The group included boxing team members Lin Yu-ting, Wu Shih-yi (吳詩儀), Chen Nien-chin (陳念琴), Huang Hsiao-wen (黃筱雯), Kan Chia-wei (甘家葳), and Lai Chu-en (賴主恩); track and field athletes Peng Ming-yang (彭名揚) and Yang Chun-han (楊俊瀚); and table tennis player Cheng I-ching (鄭怡靜). CTOC President Lin Hong-dow (林鴻道) also accompanied them.
Lin Yu-ting made history by securing Taiwan's first Olympic boxing gold medal in the 57 kg category, adding the country's second gold of the games. Wu Shih-yi earned a bronze in the 60 kg category, and Chen Nien-chin contributed another bronze in the 66 kg category.
