Photo courtesy of CNA; FISU President Oleg Matytsin (second right) and Secretary-General Eric Saintrond (right) at a press conference Wednesday.
Taipei, Aug. 30 (CNA) Officials from the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the organizing body of the Universiade, on Wednesday praised the Taiwanese athletes and fans who participated in the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade, calling the games a success.
The level of competition at the Taipei Universiade has been impressive, with two world records being set -- one in archery and the other in weightlifting -- FISU Secretary-General Eric Saintrond said at a press conference in Taipei on the last day of the games.
He noted the "fantastic" results achieved by the Taiwanese team, which will finish third in gold medals won, behind only Japan and South Korea, and fourth in total medals won.
The number of medals won by Taiwanese athletes this year -- 26 golds, 34 silvers and 30 bronzes -- has significantly increased from Taiwan's haul at the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, when it won six golds, 12 silvers and 19 bronzes, Saintrond said.
Meanwhile, FISU President Oleg Matytsin called the games "a success" and praised the Taipei organizer and local fans.
Taiwanese crowds were knowledgeable about the sports they were watching and cheered all the athletes, no matter where they finished in their respective events, Matytsin said.
"This Universiade has gone beyond competition. It has been about the values of sports. It has been about education. It has been about friendship, hospitality and unity," he said.
Also at the press conference, Taiwanese weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun (郭婞淳), who won gold and broke the world record for the clean & jerk lift in the women's weightlifting under-58kg weight class at the Universiade on Aug. 21, said the loud cheers and support she received from local fans filled her with strength.
"I was very excited to take on 142 kilograms on my final lift. I was looking forward to quickly lifting the weight successfully so I could share the honor with everyone," said Kuo, whose 142-kg lift broke the clean & jerk world record of 141 kg in the weight class set by Qiu Hongmei of China in April 2007.
Su Li-chiung, CEO of the organizing committee of the Taipei Universiade, thanked the FISU for giving Taipei a chance to host the games.
She expressed the hope that the organization will continue to support Taiwan in its future attempts to bid for the right to host other international sport events.
Matytsin responded that the two sides have already discussed the possibility of hosting future events in Taiwan, such as World University Championships for different sports events.
"I see a very promising future," he said.
The Taipei Universiade, the largest international sports event ever hosted in Taiwan, formally opened on Aug. 19 and will conclude Wednesday. The games attracted over 7,300 athletes from 134 countries, who competed in 271 events in 21 sports for 1,978 medals.
