President Chen Shui-bian received this morning the Taiwan delegation of skaters who took part in the "Eleventh Annual Asian Skating Championship." The president expressed his warmest congratulations and encouragements to the skaters for the good results of winning seven gold medals, nine silver medals and nine bronze medals.
The president's speech is as follows:
I am very happy today to meet with all the members of the Taiwan team who took part in the "Eleventh Annual Asian Skating Championship" at the Presidential Office. I am also delighted and proud to share the honor you have earned for the country during the competition. First, I would like to express my congratulations to you for the good results you have obtained while representing the country, capturing seven gold medals, nine silver medals and nine bronze medals.
This is the third consecutive year that Taiwan wins the championship since it took part in the ninth annual championship of this competition. Whether it is individual or team results, we are second to none. On behalf of the government and the people of this country, I would like to express my most sincere congratulations and affirmations.
We are all aware that six of the seven gold medals are all obtained in the event of figure skating, which is the best record in Asia this year. Winning one more gold medal in figure skating would have made history in Asian skating by sweeping all the gold medals of this event. A skater among you, named Yeh Chia-cheng, has performed most outstandingly. He has won three gold medals, broke the record of the competition and was elected the best skater of the competition. In women's hockey, the team has brought the country three victories, winning for it the gold medal in roller-skating hockey for the first time in an international competition. It is not only the highest honor for the Roller Skating Federation and the skaters, but also the pride of all the people.
Roller-skating is a very suitable sport for the Asian people. There are currently over one million skaters in Taiwan, and roller-skating is considered as one of the most popular sports in Taiwan. Do you remember the big roller blade rally in 1999? There were approximately ten thousand participants, writing a new record in the number of participants in our country's sport history. In recent years, the roller skating population of the country has grown bigger, upgrading its roller-skating professional training level as well as strengthening the capabilities and competitiveness of the skaters.
Besides that, since our country successfully hosted the Ninth Asian Roller Skating Championship in 2001, we have won the opportunity to host the first 2005 Asian Inline Cup, the 2006 Twelfth Asian Speed/Artistic Roller Skating Championship and the 2008 World Artistic Skating Championship. Taiwan will keep on putting efforts in August this year to obtain the right to organize the 2009 World Speed Roller Skating Championship. Before the World Games 2009-Kaohsiung kicking off, we would have heated up the promotion of roller skating so that Taiwan skaters could have their domain in the world of international roller skating.
Taiwan is small, but we are courageous. I always say that Taiwan has to stand on its own feet and reach out to the world. Indeed, we have accomplished such a task in recent years. Whether it is on international evaluation rankings, sports, science or other technology competitions, Taiwan keeps on breaking records and releasing the brightness of its capability on the international stage. This is the symbol of the Taiwanese society strengthening itself. These common achievements and pride of the Taiwanese people have proved that Taiwan has not only stood on its own feet, but its achievements on the international scene are also unshakable. Taiwan has not only reached out to the world, its every step was also made with conviction and confidence.
Being the leader of the country, my greatest wish is to see progress and prosperity in the Taiwanese society and sustainable development in every domain. During the past years, I often had the opportunity to meet with prominent people from every level of society at the Presidential Office, and I witnessed many people challenging the limit of their capability to achieve great goals. These are all the examples of Taiwan standing on its own feet. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you, ladies and gentlemen, for your achievements and efforts.
You have spread Taiwan's glory to the world so that the international community could see it. Although my job is different from yours, I believe our goals are the same. We hope to create added-value for Taiwan, and we also hope to contribute to Taiwan's dignity on the international stage. I deeply believe that our success lies in the strength of the Taiwanese people. I hope that we can keep on going. Let's face the challenges!
The 2005 World Games in Duisburg is around the corner. And the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung will raise its curtain following it. Ladies and gentlemen, coaches and sportsmen, you are the country's path to glory. I hope that all of you can do your best when faced with stiff challenges to win great honor for the nation.
In conclusion, I wish you health and luck.