Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said the Summer Universiade in Taipei next year will proceed according to the “Olympic model,” meaning that spectators should be able to display the Republic of China (ROC) flag throughout the international sporting event.
Ko made the comment in response to media queries about whether the flag would be banned during the Universiade’s opening and closing ceremonies.
“The rules for arenas and seating areas will vary. We will deal with this issue according to protocols set forth by the International Olympic Committee [IOC]. We will get to the basics further down the line,” he said on the sidelines of an event to introduce two “premium sponsors” of the Universiade, EVA Airways (長榮航空) and China Airlines (中華航空).
Photo: Liao Chen-hui, Taipei Times
According to the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC), the “Olympic model” refers to regulations overseen or approved by the IOC governing international sporting events, including the formation to be observed by international sports teams, the playing of national anthems and display of national flags.
“The jurisdiction of the ‘Olympic model’ is limited to sports competitions and does not extend to the seating areas and the spectators itself, meaning that spectators are allowed to hold up national flags at international sporting events and tournaments held domestically. The event organizer has no authority to intervene in such an action as long as the spectators do not interfere with the competitions,” the CTOC said.
Taipei Universiade Organizing Committee spokesman Yang
Ching-tang (楊景棠), asked how the committee would respond if spectators held up banners promoting Taiwanese independence or other ideologies, said it would not censor messages designed to cheer the athletes, as it is not allowed to do so.
Asked about a report by the Chinese-language China Times that said the Taipei City Government is planning to pass the Universiade torch through some Chinese cities and whether the plan meant Taipei is showing goodwill toward China, Ko said the route of the torch relay will be planned based on the likelihood of attracting tourists.
He said the city came up with the plan after a meeting with Executive Yuan officials and the Tourism Bureau, during which the agencies agreed that the torch relay should promote tourism.
He said that places the torch is to pass through include the University of Paris, where the Universiade originated; Naples, Italy; ASEAN member states and China.
The Taipei Department of Tourism and Information is evaluating which Chinese cities to visit, he said.
Yang said China Airlines and EVA Airways together donated more than NT$300 million (US$9.5 million) in ticket discounts.
The two airlines will be offering Universiade teams discounts ranging from 60 to 80 percent on their round-trip tickets as well as preferential prices on baggage fees, he said, adding that they have also agreed to promote the Universiade on their in-flight magazines and video systems.
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