President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of December 21 with the ROC's medal winners from the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games and congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances.
The president commented that this year's Asian Para Games have been converted into an extremely competitive event now that the number of gold medals has been reduced from 542 to 341, and nations throughout the region place great importance on these games. Taiwan's team won eight gold medals, seven silvers, and 11 bronzes, and placed eighth in the medal count among 41 nations. The president noted that this was the fifth time a team from Taiwan took part in the games. Assistance from the Cabinet-level Sports Affairs Council and other bodies enabled the coaches and athletes to put in an outstanding performance, winning distinction for the nation, he said. He furthermore expressed his hopes that the athletes will continue to be successful in the future.
President Ma specially congratulated Lin Shin Wei, a visually impaired 18-year-old swimmer who won four gold medals. The president praised him for working to overcome the disability he has faced since birth. Of Lin's four golds, three even broke the Asian records, which the president said was especially noteworthy. In addition, Luo Hsiao Hung broke the Asian record in the women's 200-meter individual medley (SM5), which the president also commented was quite an achievement.
President Ma said he has always sought better training, higher coaching salaries, and relaxed rules on monetary rewards for our athletes to make them more competitive in the international arena. The Sports Affairs Council, he remarked, has also used receipts from the sports lottery this year to hold athletic events for the mentally and physically disabled, and to arrange for sports camps, training centers, and the establishment of sports and recreational venues. The government provides financial aid to help athletes train, participate in competitions, and acquire gear, and also offers short-term unemployment subsidies and opportunities for athletes to continue their education. These efforts are aimed at encouraging the disabled to participate in sports and expand the government's support for them, he said.
The president stated that the government is currently working on transforming Taiwan into a "sports island." He pointed out that the Sports Affairs Council is establishing sports centers and athletic parks throughout Taiwan to promote regular exercise among the public. This will also make it easier to spot outstanding athletes, thereby enhancing sports among the public and the training and education of athletes for competition, he said. President Ma reiterated his support for sports, saying that "physical strength translates into national strength." He expressed his hopes that the public will embrace exercise so as to create a healthy nation and society.
The medal winners were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Sports Affairs Council Minister Tai Hsia-ling and the head of the Chinese Taipei Asian Para Games delegation Chen Lee-Chou to meet President Ma.