President Chen Shui-bian on December 29 met with Taiwan's team of athletes that participated in the 9th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled. The president expressed his praise and encouragement to the athletes who overcame their handicaps and put in outstanding performances, bringing honor to their country.
In remarks to the group, President Chen noted that Taiwan's team garnered 18 gold medals, 29 silver medals and 22 bronze medals in nine competitive sports at the games, including track and field, badminton, judo, power lifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis, bowling and wheelchair tennis. The Taiwan team was the eighth largest medal winner, which was its best performance ever.
The president acknowledged how the handicapped must overcome many challenges and difficulties in training and competing that most people cannot even imagine. According to statistics, Taiwan is home to nearly 960,000 disabled people, while the number who are willing to participate in various activities is only a small percentage of this. President Chen said an important target for the future is to encourage the disabled to develop a habit of physical activity and to enable them to develop to the best of their potential, helping to raise their quality of life.
The president also noted that the recent Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled will be replaced by the Asian Para Games in the future. He said he hopes even more outstanding athletes here will join the Taiwan team. In September 2007, Taipei will hold the World Wheelchair and Amputee Games. These games are not only the predecessor to the Paralympic Games, but also are the second largest international athletic event for the disabled. He added that the holding of these games will be in the run-up to the World Games, which Kaohsiung will host in 2009, and the Deaflympics that will be held in Taipei. Over 1,500 athletes from 60 nations will come here to compete in the games, which will be important in raising Taiwan's international image.
President Chen urged all agencies involved in organizing the events to do their best in preparing the facilities required for the disabled. He also recommended agencies to work together to create barrier-free spaces, enabling Taiwan to become a place known throughout the world for its efforts to improve the lives of the disabled.