Taiwan’s delegation to the Paris Olympics paid a visit to the Levallois Municipal Government on August 8, where Wu Shiyi, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 60kg boxing event, proactively presented a popular pearl milk tea badge to Mayor Agnes Pottier-Dumas.
In order to support the athletes representing the country in the Paris Olympics, the Taiwan delegation planned three key relay stations. These included a “dining apartment” serving hometown flavors, a “sports center” providing convenient training facilities for the athletes, and a “physical therapy center” to assist with the athletes’ training and recovery before and after competitions.
Former Minister of Education Zheng Yingyao previously revealed that by chance, they got to know Mayor Agnes Pottier-Dumas and the city council fully approved Taiwan’s free use of the sports center, solving the athletes’ training issues. Director of the Sports Administration Zheng Shizhong disclosed that even the US team admired the facility and expressed interest in borrowing it in the future, calling it a successful example of sports diplomacy fostering Taiwan-US relations.
As the Paris Olympics gradually drew to a close, the Taiwan delegation, along with Wu Zhizhong and Zheng Shizhong representing the Republic of China Embassy in France, paid a special visit to the Levallois Municipal Government on August 8. This grateful trip included members of the Taiwan boxing team Lin Yuting, Chen Nianqin, Wu Shiyi, Huang Xiaowen, Lai Zhu’en, and Gan Jiawei, as well as coaches Liu Zongtai, Ke Wenming, Zeng Ziqiang, and Luo Shangce.
Mayor Dumas, who personally welcomed the delegation, expressed in a press release that she was delighted to learn about Taiwan’s athletes achieving great results at the Paris Olympics. She stated, “We are happy to assist and accompany you during this historic moment. We believe this is a good start and hope our friendship will last.”
Zheng Shizhong mentioned that this place was like a second home for the Taiwan team in France, and he believed that everyone would always cherish the memories.
Chen Nianqin, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 66kg boxing event, expressed her gratitude, emphasizing how the sports center had greatly helped each athlete. She specifically thanked the city government for providing such a good venue, allowing them and the coaching staff to focus on tactical presentations.
Interestingly, Wu Shiyi, who also won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, voluntarily presented the trending pearl milk tea badge to Mayor Dumas. Wu Shiyi jokingly mentioned that the pearl milk tea badge this time was particularly beautiful, so when she saw the mayor, she wanted to share this symbol of Taiwan’s pride with her.
(Translated from Central News Agency)