The Taiwan delegation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, after 16 days of intense competition, returned to Taiwan in glory this morning (13th). President Tsai Ing-wen instructed to send three F-16 fighter jets to accompany the last group of athletes returning home, following the protocol set during the Tokyo Olympics. Upon the flight’s arrival, there was a water salute ceremony to welcome the Taiwanese heroes back.
The 2024 Paris Olympics concluded with a closing ceremony at the France Stadium on the 11th. The Taiwan delegation, represented by athletes from various sports, collectively won 2 gold and 5 bronze medals, totaling 7 medals, marking the second-best performance in Taiwan’s Olympic history after the Tokyo Olympics. The final group of athletes returning this morning included representatives from boxing such as Lin Yu-ting, Wu Shi-yi, Chen Nianqin, Huang Xiaowen, Gan Jiawei, Lai Zhu’en, as well as track and field athletes like Peng Mingyang, Yang Junhan, and table tennis player Zheng Yijing, all flying back together on a China Airlines flight.
A statement from the Office of the President of the Republic of China highlighted, “In this edition of the Paris Olympics, our athletes secured a total of 2 gold and 5 bronze medals, achieving the second-best result in Taiwan’s Olympic history.” President Tsai Ing-wen instructed the Air Force to dispatch three F-16 fighter jets to accompany and express gratitude to the Taiwanese athletes for their outstanding performances that brought honor to the nation, while also appreciating the dedication of all staff members. The Air Force emphasized prioritizing safety in carrying out the mission and conveyed the nation’s gratitude to the Olympic delegation.
The Republic of China Air Force took off on the mission at 5:17 a.m. When the China Airlines flight entered the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and entered the controlled airspace, the mission aircraft maintained a distance of 1,500 feet on the left and right sides of the plane. After confirming safety with the pilot, flame bombs were released to welcome the Taiwanese heroes and continued to accompany the flight. The mission was successfully completed at 6:11 a.m.
According to the Office of the President of the Republic of China, “The athletes of our delegation have gradually returned home earlier, with the largest group arriving in Taiwan this morning. The China Airlines flight BR88 took off from Paris at 11:20 a.m. local time on the 12th and landed in Taiwan at 7:10 a.m. on the 13th.”
Additionally, the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee recently announced that following the return of the badminton men’s doubles gold medalists “Lin-Yang Pair,” the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation replicated the welcoming ceremony upon the delegation’s arrival at the airport gate C6 to celebrate the triumphant return of the Taiwan delegation.