From 19-30 August, Taiwan hosted the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade, the biggest international sports event ever held in the country.
Officially launched by President Tsai Ing-wen at Taipei Stadium, the event welcomed more than 11,000 athletes and support staff from over 142 countries. In a celebration of athleticism, dance, and music the opening ceremony featured some 2,500 performers and 18,000 spectators. It was comprised of three parts; ‘Vibrant Island,’ depicting the various cultures and indigenous tribes of Taiwan; ‘Hybrid Taipei,’ conveying the urban environment of the host city; and ‘Global Tribe,’ showcasing technological development and the digital era.
In remarks at the ceremony, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je thanked the International University Sports Federation (FISU) for the opportunity to host the competition. Through staging the sporting extravaganza, Taipei aims to demonstrate its confidence, passion, and vitality, as well as transcend geographical distances and cultural differences to share peace and friendship with the world, he said.
Taiwan finished in third place at the event, behind only Japan and South Korea. With a record-breaking medal count of 26 golds, 34 silvers, and 30 bronzes, the Taiwanese team far exceeded predictions from Taiwan’s Sports Administration. The event also saw much success in terms of ticket sales, which according to organisers amounted to around 700,000 or 83 percent as of 28 August, compared with 52 percent during the 2015 Gwangju Universiade in South Korea.
Also known as the World University Games, the Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival held biennially in a different city worldwide. The 29th edition in Taipei featured 21 sports at 38 competition venues in Taipei, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, New Taipei, and Taoyuan.
To promote the event in the UK, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office published a video containing a series of facts and highlighting UK-Taiwan collaboration in preparing the event and developing the venues.
