Taiwan restates their right to host the 2019 East Asian Youth Games in Taichung City, Taiwan
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In response to the unilateral decision made by the East Asian Olympic Committee (EAOC) to cancel the Taichung 2019 East Asian Youth Games at an Extraordinary Council meeting on July 24, 2018, the Taichung City Government and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC) each filed a request on July 30 urging the EAOC to reconsider the decision and reinstate Taichung City’s right to host the event.
The Taichung City Government and the CTOC asserted that they have honored the Host City Contract and abided by the EAOC Constitution and regulations. They requested that the issue be resolved through amicable consultations in accordance with Article 24 of the Contract. The CTOC further reiterated that it has always fulfilled its obligations as stipulated in the Olympic Charter and the 1981 Lausanne Agreement, and pointed out that it has not violated any related regulations.
On October 24, 2014, Taichung City won the right to host the 2019 East Asian Youth Games. Thereafter, the city government and the CTOC signed the Host City Contract with the EAOC. Preparations have since been made in accordance with the EAOC Constitution. To date, Taichung has invested NT$676 million (approximately US$22.2 million) in building sports arenas and planning the event, while the central government and other local governments have mobilized economic and human resources to ensure that preparations would be completed on schedule and to the required standards.
Our government has always respected the CTOC’s autonomy. In 2017, the National Sports Act was amended to include a chapter dedicated to matters concerning the CTOC, affirming that it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the representative for the Republic of China (Taiwan) and stipulating that its operations should be consistent with the Olympic Charter and other IOC regulations. In addition, our government and the CTOC concur that the highest principle should to safeguard the rights of Taiwanese athletes and representatives of Taiwan organizations participating in international sports competitions and meetings such that they enjoy the same rights and interests as their counterparts from other member countries. Taiwan has strictly adhered to IOC regulations since it signed the Lausanne Agreement with the IOC in 1981.
The EAOC’s hasty decision to cancel the East Asian Youth Games deprives outstanding athletes in Taiwan and other countries of East Asia of their right to compete, undermines Taiwan’s membership rights, and seriously hurts the feelings of the Taiwanese people. The government and people of Taiwan fully support and are engaging in efforts to reinstate their right to host the event, and hope the international community will lend its support to such efforts.
