Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/11/25
By: Elizabeth Hsu

CNA file photo

Taipei, Nov. 24 (CNA) Taiwanese people voted against a closely watched referendum Saturday on whether Taiwan should apply to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics under the name “Taiwan” instead of “Chinese Taipei.”

The referendum was voted down by a roughly 55-45 percent margin, with 10.51 million valid votes counted as of 2:20 a.m. Sunday.

The petition was spearheaded by renowned Taiwanese Olympian Chi Cheng (紀政), following a movement on the streets of Tokyo two years ago to collect the signatures of people who agreed that Taiwan should be allowed to attend the Tokyo games under the name “Taiwan.”

A track and field athlete, 74-year-old Chi took part in the Olympic Games in 1960, 1964 and 1968 and won a bronze medal in the women’s 80-meter hurdles at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.    [FULL  STORY]