TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) on Sunday (Aug. 11) declared a special day for Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) after the boxer took gold in the women's 57kg weight class at the Paris Olympics.
Lin, a lifelong resident of New Taipei, overcame controversy over her gender and made history on Sunday by winning Taiwan's first Olympic gold medal in boxing. To mark the achievement, Hou announced on Facebook that Monday (Aug. 12) would be “Lin Yu-ting Day,” he would more than double her bonus from the city for winning a gold medal, and revealed free access to select mass transit services and venues to celebrate her victory.
Hou told the media Lin “worked very hard over the past 15 years, fighting with blood and tears to bring pride to Taiwan and New Taipei," per SET News. He added, "She faced constant malicious slander during the Olympics, but now that she has won the gold medal, these people have shut up.”
To reward Lin for her win, Hou said the New Taipei City Government will provide an additional NT$3 million (US$92,000) bonus to the existing NT$2.7 million, bringing her awards from New Taipei to NT$5.7 million. Combined with the NT$20 million gold medal bonus from the Ministry of Education's Sports Administration, Lin's total bonuses will reach NT$25.7 million.
In addition, Hou announced the following measures to celebrate Lin's accomplishment:
- Free rides on the Danhai and Ankeng light rail lines in New Taipei on Aug. 12
- Free admission to New Taipei City Museum venues for seven days starting Aug. 12
- Free admission to the 16 fitness and swimming centers in New Taipei and the Banshu and Taishan sports parks starting Aug. 12 for one week
