Taipei, Aug. 16 (CNA) Taiwanese athletes were both excited and emotional on Wednesday as the flag of the delegation was hoisted during a flag-raising ceremony at the Taipei Universiade Athletes' Village to mark the symbolic opening of the games.
The flags of the Taiwan delegation, the games and the organizer -- International University Sports Federation (FISU) -- were raised during the ceremony at the Athletes' Village in New Taipei's Linkou District.
"I almost cried. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in such a large-scale event in Taiwan," said inline speed skater Sung Ching-yang, who was among the dozens of Taiwanese athletes attending the ceremony.
"I have long competed abroad. I cannot express my feelings in words, except that it is a very special feeling to be here in Taiwan," Sung told reporters.
Sung won two gold medals in roller sports at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. In 2013, he won a bronze medal in the 1,000-meter speed skating at the 2013 Winter Universiade in Italy.
He clocked 35.74 seconds to place ninth in the 500-meter speed skating at the 2017 Asian Winter Games in Japan.
The 24-year-old athlete said he will compete in the men's 300-meter time trial, 500-meter sprint and 3,000-meter relay at the upcoming Universiade.
"I hope to beat my own records and grab gold medals," he said. "I'm confident I can win in all of the categories, including the relay, because my teammates and I are in sync and work well together."
Sung said he is ready for the games, but nonetheless feels a little pressure competing in his home country.
"I will have to adjust my mindset. I might be a little nervous because all my family and close friends will come to the races," he said.
Unlike Sung, Taiwanese basketball player Huang Ling-chuan said she feels very relaxed at the prospect of competing on home turf "because everything you see is what you are familiar with."
She said her team's recent training in South Korea has built up their camaraderie and has helped them become more in tune with each other.
"This is my second time (to compete in the Universiade). I was younger the first time, and I gained a lot of experience by learning from more experienced teammates," Huang said. "It has been two years now and I have also matured."
Taiwanese-American David Hadler, who will represent Taiwan in fencing, praised Taiwan's efforts in organizing the games. He said he has heard many athletes call the Athletes' Village in Linkou the most beautiful one they have ever stayed in.
"I think Taiwan did a really great job in setting this up," he said.
Taiwan will field a team of 368 athletes competing in 22 different sports at the Taipei Universiade, making it the largest team ever sent by the country to the world university games.
Other athletes on the Taiwanese team include World No.1 female badminton player Tai Tzu-ying; female weightlifter Hsu Shu-ching, a two-time Olympic gold medalist; and women archers Tan Ya-ting and Le Chien-ying, who won a bronze medal at last year's Olympic Games.
The Universiade is slated for Aug. 19-30 and is expected to attract more than 11,400 delegates and athletes from 142 countries.
