People across Taiwan celebrated the nation’s first Olympic gold at Paris 2024 after Taiwan’s badminton duo emerged victorious over their Chinese opponents on Sunday.
Lee Yang (李洋) and Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) fought a tough 76-minute battle against the world No. 1 duo from China — Liang Weikeng (梁偉鏗) and Wang Chang (王昶) — to defend their men’s doubles badminton title.
Taiwan supporters had high expectations for the badminton pair, who previously won gold in the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
Their hard-fought victory unleashed a wave of celebrations nationwide and congratulations from top politicians poured in.
In a telephone call to Wang’s father, President William Lai (賴清德) praised Lee and Wang for “winning glory for their country.”
“Lee and Yang obtaining gold and breaking an Olympic record really, really isn’t easy,” Lai said. “They are the glory of the nation, and I call upon everyone to thank them for going all-out for their country.”
Photo: Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) congratulated the badminton champions for “again winning gold for yourselves and for Taiwan.”
“Your persistence and attitude of never giving up have moved people in the country and helped the world to see Taiwan once again,” Chu wrote on Facebook late on Sunday night.
Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) also commended the winning pair on Facebook, writing: “Taiwan is proud of you.”
Aside from public praise, Lee and Wang are also to be awarded prize money from the central and local governments for their Olympic accomplishment.
According to National Glory Sports Medal and Scholarship Awards regulations, the Sports Administration will bestow NT$20 million (US$612,764) on each of them in recognition of their gold medal achievement.
Lee, whose household registration is in Kinmen County, is also to receive NT$5.5 million from the county government.
Wang, whose household is registered in Taipei, is to receive up to NT$2 million in prize money from the city government for winning an Olympic gold, as well as other rewards from funds including a training scholarship, Taipei officials said. The exact amount is yet to be confirmed.
Businesses in Taiwan are also getting caught up in Olympic fever, with many announcing special offers in recognition of Lee and Wang’s badminton victory.
Five of Taiwan’s biggest convenience store chains are offering discounts or special promotions on coffee, including a buy-two-get-two-free offer on large Americanos at 7-Eleven’s City Cafes until today.
The Taipei City Government has announced special promotions at venues across the city, including a buy-one-get-one-free deal on entrance tickets to Taipei Zoo until Aug. 12.
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