Taiwan's bobsled team has passed its first examination with the help of some high school kids in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The team's sled passed its International Olympic Committee test and will now be able to race in the upcoming four-man bobsled event.
It was an anxious moment for Team Taiwan, which had missed one inspection on account of internecine feuding between the country's Olympic committee and sports council, its athletes and officials.
Tom Raty, a Granite High School teacher developed, constructed and then loaned the sled to Taiwan.
"Without his help," Sam Huang (黃柳宗), Taiwan's Olympic spokesman said, "We would have been up the creek without a paddle ... or in this case up the track without a bobsled.
"There are a few students that have helped out and I couldn't help but think they could have been out enjoying themselves," rather than helping Taiwan with its Olympic bid in the bobsled competition. "Their passion for the sled is unmatched." Huang said.
To thank Tom Raty and Granite High School for their help, Team Taiwan organized a party for everyone who has been involved in constructing, testing and delivering the nation's sled.
Huang said, "We all had so much fun just lounging around, having pizza, and interacting with the team. Despite the language barrier, they [the athletes] have managed to pick up a few words and talk in both English and Mandarin."
Just when it seemed as though everything was progressing well, however, Taiwan's luge coach and team spokesman got into a pickle over credentials.
"My credentials are still not done. The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee has just been delaying and lying about everything that has been going on.
"Finally we had dinner with the international bobsled and luge federation" and the team was promised credentials the next day, Huang said.
"If it was this easy to get my credentials sorted out, why couldn't the Olympic committee get it done in the first place. What a joke!"
The four-man bobsled competition begins on Saturday, Feb. 23, so the team has three days to prepare.
Chen Chin-san (陳金山), the country's three-time Olympian has said that he is happy with the sled and is hoping for some fast times.
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