TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Olympic athletes were greeted by F-16s releasing flares when returning to the country on Tuesday (Aug. 13) and boxer Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) said she was “deeply moved” by their welcome.
The boxing, track and field, and table tennis teams returned to Taiwan on Tuesday. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) directed the Air Force to dispatch three F-16V fighter jets to accompany the flight, and a water salute was given upon their arrival, per CNA.
The boxing team brought home one gold and two bronze medals. Lin Yu-Ting made history by winning Taiwan's first-ever Olympic boxing gold medal in the women's 57kg weight class.
Boxer Chen Nien-chin (陳念琴), competing in her third Olympics, took bronze in the women's 66kg class. Wu Shih-yi (吳詩儀) boxed her way to bronze in the women's 60kg category.
Lin said she was “astounded and deeply moved” when she saw F-16s accompanying their plane. “Thank you President Lai for placing great importance on sports,” said Lin.
Wu said she did not want to sleep because she was looking forward to watching the jets. Wu said the F16s performed barrel rolls and released flares.
Chen described the experience as “really great.” She mentioned that during the last F-16 escort, she accidentally fell asleep, so being able to witness it this time was very moving.
The Taoyuan International Airport Corporation repeated its greeting given to other medalists when they arrived a few days ago. When the aircraft arrived at the Taoyuan Airport a “water gate ceremony” was held at Gate C6 to welcome the athletes.
Personnel from the Sports Administration, Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, Ministry of Education, and Council of Indigenous Peoples went to the gate to greet the athletes with welcome banners. The EVA Air ground staff also held handwritten signs and banners reading “We Support Our Team" and when the athletes arrived, they shouted, “Welcome home, the light of Taiwan, EVA Air is proud of you!”
According to the Sports Administration, 54 athletes and coaches took EVA Air flight BR88 back to Taiwan from Paris early in the morning. The returning athletes included boxers Lin, Chen, Wu, Huang Hsiao-wen (黃筱雯), Kan Chia Wei (甘家葳), and Lai Chu-en (賴主恩); table tennis player Cheng Yi-ching (鄭怡靜); and runners Yang Chun-han (楊俊瀚) and Peng Ming-yang (彭名揚).
