The nation participated as “Taiwan” rather than “Chinese Taipei” for the first time at this year’s World Police and Fire Games that began in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday.
The Taiwanese team of firefighters and police officers have been participating at the Games since 1985. The Games are held every two years.
For the first time, the Taiwanese team participated under the name “Taiwan” and carried a sign saying “Taiwan” and the national flag during the opening ceremony.
The team entered with traditional dancing dragons and lions and were accompanied by traditional Taiwanese musicians with gongs and drums, while overseas Taiwanese in the crowd watching the parade cheered.
The National Police Agency said in the past, the country could only participate at the Games using the same name as in the Olympic Games, “Chinese Taipei.” However, this year, the agency coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the representative office in Vancouver and the Games organizers to allow the country’s firefighters and police officers to compete under the name “Taiwan.”
The team is composed of 49 firefighters and police officers from around the country, led by Hsieh Fen-fen (謝芬芬), a section chief at the agency.
This year, more than 10,000 police officers, firefighters, customs and correction officers from more than 60 countries are competing in sports that include hockey, archery, basketball, wrestling, sailing, golf and karate.
The Games were established in 1985 by the non-profit World Police and Fire Games Federation.
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