Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) yesterday issued an apology after a marathon he sponsored presented winners with trophies modeled after Type 95 automatic rifles used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
The Fongshan Marathon was organized by Hsu’s office and held in Kaohsiung’s Fongshan District (鳳山) yesterday, with routes that passed through three military schools that were mostly not open to the public, including the Military Academy, the Fongshan Army Infantry School and the Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School.
He also apologized to the departments involved and the public, and promised to be more careful in the future.
Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung City Councilor Lee Ya-ching
“Due to the co-organizer’s negligence, the trophies were modeled on rifles that were not used by the armed forces of Taiwan,” he said, adding that he has asked for the retrieval and replacement of the trophies as soon as possible.
Event co-organizer Kaohsiung City Fongshan Jogging Association yesterday said that the trophy was shaped like a rifle simply because it fits the aesthetics and is relevant to the military.
The move did not have a questionable purpose, such as being part of “united front” efforts, they said.
The association also called for people to refrain from false accusations, saying it would negate the hard work they devoted to organizing the event.
The manufacturer has been asked to make new trophies and the event’s personnel would contact the winners when the replacements are ready, it said.
The army, which offered venues for the event, yesterday said that it would remind organizers of such issues in the future to avoid similar situations.
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