Taipei Times: Why did you begin competing in this type of sport?
Ma Chih-hung (馬志鴻): Before I started [luge], I was in track and field, but then I took the chance to try something different, a different kind of sport. I discovered I really liked it and went in a different direction. I enjoy the challenge.
TT: Where do you train?
PHOTO: ERIC SHIH
Ma: All over Germany and Austria.
TT: Do you train alone?
Ma: I train with athletes from different countries. Many athletes have teammates from the same country, but I am on my own. But because of this, I find other athletes to train with and we sort of form a team to keep each other company.
TT: Where is your coach from?
Ma: My coach is from Romania.
TT: This is your second Olympic Games. Last time you competed in Turin, Italy. What do you think is the difference between the two Games?
Ma: Both the track and the track times were faster in Turin than in Vancouver.
TT: How about the difference in preparation between the Games?
Ma: This time, I’ve been able to prepare for a long time and practice a lot. I’ve used the experience [from before] to help me. I’m satisfied with the past two days of practice, so I should be okay with the competition.
TT: What are your goals?
Ma: Of course — to get a medal and be in the top three. But there are so many countries competing and all the best athletes are here. These are the Olympic Games. So my goal is to see if I can break my own personal best time; that would be my best honor. If I can work hard, I will be satisfied.
I hope that every run is smooth and I hope I won’t have an accident, that I won’t flip the sled and that I won’t crash. If I can do that, then I will beat my personal best.
TT: Where does your funding come from, the government?
Ma: Yes, some of the funding comes from Taiwan’s Olympic committee and some comes from the National Council for Physical Fitness and Sports. The rest comes from the Chinese Taipei Amateur Luge and Bobsleigh Association. It covers my training and living expenses.
TT: You are from Pingtung, which is a very hot place. It’s a very different environment from typical Winter Olympics conditions. How do you handle that?
Ma: The first time I saw snow, I had a great sense of anticipation. It felt very fresh, like being in a freezer. It was very exciting because it’s so different.
Adapting to the cold wasn’t easy at first, because of the big change, but gradually I was able to adjust and I was able to just concentrate on the sport. If I felt cold, then I would put on more clothes. It’s not something I pay attention to now, because I’ve adapted.
TT: A lot of Taiwanese aren’t familiar with your sport. Why were you able to succeed?
Ma: (laughs) In earlier Winter Olympics, Taiwan participated in more events. But now, because the Olympic standards are going up, the levels [required to qualify] are slowly getting higher. Taiwan’s participation in these sports is becoming less and less frequent, as it is not easy to qualify.
I feel that, as long as I have the opportunity [to compete], I will try. Of course, [luge] is not popular [in Taiwan]. People don’t pay attention to it. Still, seeking attention is not what it’s about for me, as I enjoy the sport for its own sake and I can use it to explore my abilities. But, of course, if everyone were more aware of the sport, that would be a great thing.
I am still hopeful that I can get support from everybody.
I think it’s important not to discriminate against certain sports. Don’t say a sport is not good because it’s not popular.
TT: Will you carry the Chinese Taipei Olympic flag?
Ma: I will carry the flag. [He was also the only athlete and the flag bearer at the Turin Olympics.]
TT: What are your feelings about that?
Ma: It’s a huge honor. But it’s only me [on the team] right now, so I hope other sports can qualify in the future. I hope by holding the flag, people will focus on our sports. I have to keep this going, so that [Taiwan] can compete in every [Winter] Olympics.
TT: Anything else?
Ma: Taiwan has broadcast rights this time. [This will] let the audience in Taiwan see sports that are uncommon. I am happy about this. Taiwanese will see a variety of sports and highlights that they don’t usually see.
Everyone can see me compete, which is my honor and also my responsibility. The Olympic broadcast is like public education: It could encourage more Taiwanese to participate [in winter sports], so that we won’t be absent from future Winter Olympics. It can also help give Taiwan more visibility. It could help improve physical education in Taiwan as well.
FRUSTRATION: Alcaraz made several unforced errors over four sets against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who had never made it past the third round in a major competition Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the fourth round of the French Open after laboring past Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the Friday night session. The second-seeded Spaniard had never before played Dzumhur, a 33-year-old Bosnian who had never been past the third round at any major tournament. “I suffered quite a lot today,” Alcaraz said. “The first two sets was under control, then he started to play more deeply and more aggressively. It was really difficult for me.” Dzumhur hurt his left knee in a fall in the second round, and had treatment on Friday on his right leg during the
‘DREAM’: The 5-0 victory was PSG’s first Champions League title, and the biggest final win by any team in the 70-year history of the top-flight European competition Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for the first time as Luis Enrique’s brilliant young side outclassed Inter on Saturday in the most one-sided final ever with teenager Desire Doue scoring twice in an astonishing 5-0 victory. Doue supplied the pass for Achraf Hakimi to give PSG an early lead and the 19-year-old went from provider to finisher as his deflected shot doubled the advantage in the 20th minute. Doue scored again just after the hour mark, ending any doubt about the outcome before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran away to get the fourth and substitute Senny Mayulu, another teenager, made it five. Inter were
The horn sounded on Wednesday night to signal a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final, as the Florida Panthers celebrated merely by hopping over the boards and several heading over to congratulate goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. It was a subdued celebration seemingly more befitting a regular-season win for the reigning Cup champs. “I remember a few years ago, it felt like such an accomplishment from where we were at one point,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said, adding: “It’s all business and we’ve got a bigger goal in mind.” The Panthers closed out the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, with a 5-3 victory in
The Edmonton Oilers on Thursday defeated the Dallas Stars 6-3 to book their place in the Stanley Cup Finals, setting up a repeat of last year’s NHL showpiece against reigning champions the Florida Panthers. The Oilers, bidding to become the first Canadian team to win the NHL’s championship series since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens, head to Florida for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series set for Wednesday. Florida, who are to play in the NHL showpiece for the third straight season, won last year’s title 4-3 to extend Canada’s decades-long Stanley Cup drought. Connor McDavid led Edmonton back to the championship series on
RSS