Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/05/31
By: Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao
Taipei, May 31 (CNA) Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Tuesday he is determined to host a
successful 2017 Summer Universiade and that if he fails, he will assume political responsibility.
Asked by several city councilors about the progress the city government has made in preparations for the World University Games during a question-and-answer session at the city council, Ko said he is duty bound to host the event successfully.
“If I do not succeed, I should perform seppuku,” Ko said. Seppuku or harakiri is a highly ritualized form of suicide that involves self-disembowelment.
The city government won the right in 2011 to host the 2017 Summer Universiade, an international sporting and cultural festival that is staged every two years in a different city. It is regarded as second only to the Olympic Games. The Summer Universiade consists of 11 compulsory sports, with 14 compulsory disciplines and up to three optional sports chosen by the host country. [FULL STORY]