Taiwan’s Paralympic athletes returned home from Paris on Tuesday to a warm reception. Their airplane was greeted with a water salute as it approached the apron at Taoyuan International Airport.
The delegation, comprising over 70 members and including athletes, coaches, and logistics staff, was welcomed by Education Deputy Minister Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬堅) and Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠) at the boarding gate.
At this year’s Paris Paralympics, Taiwan’s table tennis player Tian Shiau-wen (田曉雯) and her partner Lin Tzu-yu (林姿妤) earned a silver medal in the women’s doubles. Tian also won a bronze medal in the women’s singles. Additionally, table tennis players Cheng Ming-chih (程銘志) and Chen Po-yen (陳柏諺) each claimed silver medals in the men’s singles events.
Tian, who served as Taiwan's flag bearer at the closing ceremony, expressed her honor and gratitude for the opportunity. She remarked that she was pleased with her medal wins and looks forward to further improving her skills and strategies. Lin also acknowledged the collective effort behind their success, thanking her coach, partner, and the logistics staff.
Cheng thanked those who greeted them at the airport early in the morning, expressing his satisfaction with achieving his goals and making breakthroughs. He also extended special thanks to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) for his support during Lai's tenure as mayor of Tainan.
This year, Taiwan secured three silver and two bronze medals at the Paris Paralympics. Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) announced on Monday that a welcome reception will be held at the Presidential Office on Thursday.