TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Practical Shooting Association (TPSA, 台灣實用射擊協會, ) announced on Tuesday (Nov. 5) due to recent changes, Taiwan must compete under the name "IPSC Chinese Taipei"and cannot use its national flag during competitions starting 2025. The TPSA explained that the International Olympic Committee (IOC, 國際奧會) mandated the changes for the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC, 國際實用射擊協會).
At the opening ceremony of the Australasia Handgun/PCC Championship in Indonesia in late August, a Chinese athlete attempted to remove Taiwan's flag, to which the organizers swiftly disqualified the athlete afterward. TPSA shared on Facebook that it has witnessed IPSC's growth over 24 years and its gradual acceptance by the IOC, despite Taiwan's sports administration not yet recognizing IPSC as an official sport.
Chen Hsin-hung (陳信宏), IPSC Taiwan's regional director, stated that IPSC has been acknowledged as a sport and aims for Olympic inclusion. He expressed optimism, noting that "if the sport can enter the Olympics, it would be welcome, but compromises are necessary."
Starting next year, IPSC Taiwan will compete internationally as IPSC Chinese Taipei and will use the Chinese Taipei Olympic flag instead of the national flag. TPSA vowed to continue to advocate for recognition from the sports administration, hoping these changes will pave the way for future opportunities in the Olympic arena.
