Games of the Day: Taipei 2017, the Summer Universiade
With two days left of the Rio2016 Games, the stars of the future and maybe Tokyo begin their countdown to what could be a politically contentious World Student Games.
Known internationally as the Summer Universiade, their 2017 Taipei venue will hope to avoid politics interfering with sport.
The Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, or in Olympic circles as Chinese Taipei (or previously Formosa) are members of the International Olympic Committee but excluded from many aspects of the wider international community such as full membership of the United Nations.
Such is the sensitivity of questions over the sovereignty of the island that on August 17 the mayor of Taipei was required to assure citizens of their right to fly the Republic of China flag during the Games.
“The rules for arenas and seating areas will vary. We will deal with this issue according to protocols set forth by the International Olympic Committee [IOC]. We will get to the basics further down the line,” said Ko Wen-je.
Speaking to the Taipei Times, the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee further clarifed the mayors statement .
“The jurisdiction of the ‘Olympic model’ is limited to sports competitions and does not extend to the seating areas and the spectators itself …spectators are allowed to hold up national flags,” the CTOC said.
In 1956, the mainland People’s Republic of China boycotted the Melbourne Games over the inclusion of the ROC. In 1960, under the percieved influence of the mainland, the Republic of China was not invited by Indonesia to the Jakarta 1960 Asian Games.
However possibly due to the increasing importance that China places on its participation on the international sporting scene, recent events held on Taiwan have been attended by the People’s Republic.
In 2009, Taiwan hosted by the World Games — a large event featuring minority sports attempting to make their way to the Olympics — and the Deaflympics.
The mainland sent teams that constituted the seventh largest foreign delegations at both Games.
Ko also confirmed the Taipei City government plans for Universiade torch to pass through Chinese cities in order to attract tourists to the Games.
The torch is also set to pass through the University of Paris, where the Universiade originated; Naples, Italy and Southeast Asia.
The Games are slated from August 19 to 30, 2017, with athletes and officials from 150 countries anticipated to attend.
According to Taiwan News, the athlete village projected to accommodate 10,000 athletes in New Taipei City is set for completion this December. The 2200 apartments will be converted to a residential complex intended for public housing after the Games.
