President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) shared a heartfelt message on his Facebook page on Thursday, wishing all fathers a happy Father’s Day. He also paid special tribute to the unsung heroes behind the scenes of the Paris Olympics this summer.
Lai highlighted that the Taiwanese government has provided extensive support for the athletes participating in the Paris Olympic Games. This support includes accommodation with in-house catering services, physical therapy, sports facilities, and more. He emphasized that the dedicated staff are committed to delivering the highest level of care to the athletes, serving as the government's strongest support on the front lines.
He applauded the various team members behind the Olympics, including the head of the delegation, coaching staff, sparring partners, athletic trainers, doctors, and chefs, referring to them as the heroes behind the scenes. Lai expressed that Taiwan takes pride in and is united because of their hard work. He also paid respect to the families of the athletes for their unwavering support, enabling their children to shine on the international stage representing Taiwan.
Father’s Day is widely celebrated on August 8 in Taiwan. The number eight is pronounced “bā,” which is similar to the Mandarin word for "father." Because August 8 (8/8) sounds like "bā-bā," it coincidentally resembles the word for “dad.”