President Chen Shui-bian bestowed upon Lin Yi-chieh the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Cravat on March 1, honoring Lin's excellence in self-challenge that has earned universal applause for him and for the country.
"The award is the best congratulations and encouragement," the president said, recalling that he had bestowed the same honor at the same place to Chen Shih-shin and Chu Mu-yen, Taiwan's gold medalists at the 2004 Olympic Games. "The honor belongs to you and to the country, too," the president told Lin.
The president also praised Lin's love for life and for Taiwan by calling him "Taiwan's Forrest Gump." "The possibility of life is infinite and the strength of each individual is finite; Lin's achievement, however limited, has accomplished as much as what can touch the people's hearts and change the world," the president said. "Without his zeal for life, he would not have made the achievement."
Referring to the fact that Lin had always carried Taiwan's national flag with him during each marathon race, the president then applauded Lin's love for the country. "Lin is Taiwan's Forrest Gump that possesses the Taiwan Spirit, which creates greatness and infinity out of disadvantage and finitude," praised the president.
Lin reciprocated the president by saying that he would never forget the time running by the Amazon River while having a severe fever and the life-or-death moment while at the Antarctic. "I kept telling myself that I must not surrender, I must not give up, and I must not fall. After all, I could proudly tell the world that I, the champion, am from Taiwan," Lin told the president.
Because of his love for life, Lin has accomplished the utmost honor -- for himself, and for the country.