Attending the 2006 Sports Elite Award Ceremony on September 9, President Chen Shui-bian delivered a speech after conferring the Lifetime Achievement Award on Golfer Hsieh Min-nan.
President Chen said that in recent years, Taiwan's athletes have made huge breakthroughs. In the 2004 Olympic Games, Taiwan won its first ever gold medal, Wu Chia-ching became the youngest champion in the 2005 World Pool Championship at 16, and Wang Chien-ming, a New York Yankees' star pitcher, continued to perform remarkably in Major League Baseball (MLB). President Chen said their achievements bring honor and pride to the Taiwanese.
"It is their passion, optimism and persistence that lead to the fruits," said President Chen. "Elite Award affirmed their contributions but actually it is their achievements that make the award meaningful."
President Chen congratulated all the nominees of the Elite Award.