TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan’s Presidential Office (總統府) announced on Wednesday (Aug. 14) that all Olympic athletes, except shuttler Lee Yang (李洋), will attend the "Our Heroes! Team Taiwan" parade (英雄大遊行) on Friday. Lee will miss the event due to a vacation in Japan, with his father representing him instead.
Political Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬堅) revealed that 67 athletes and coaches will join the celebration. The event will commence at 1 p.m. with a welcoming ceremony featuring a symbolic "Saber arch" by the military honor guards and booths showcasing Taiwanese delicacies and activities.
Athletes will ride in tactical military vehicles and tour buses. The route will start from Chongqing South Rd., turn right onto Xiangyang Rd., and turn left onto Guanqian Rd., where they will interact with the public at "Hero Valley." (英雄谷)
Then, they will proceed to Zhongxiao W. Rd., ending at the pedestrian bridge at Zhongshan S. Rd. Seven stations along the route will distribute 5,000 flags and hand-held banners to spectators.
The parade coincides with the Taipei City Government's celebration at Chianti Avenue Plaza (香堤大道廣場) in Xinyi District at 4:30 p.m. The nation’s athletes Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟), Tang Chia-hung (唐嘉鴻), Wu Shih-yi (吳詩儀), and Lee Meng-yuan (李孟遠) will attend.
In response, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) stated the city had initially scheduled its event for Aug. 16 but welcomed the overlap with the national celebration.
Chang Liao emphasized that the presidential event is a nationwide celebration, stating that these athletes, whether from Taipei, New Taipei, Tainan, or Kaohsiung, are Taiwan's heroes.
