’DEEPEST DISCONTENT’:Some participating nations’ flagbearers marched alone after their teams were blocked by people protesting pension reforms outside the venue
Taipei Times
Date: Aug 20, 2017
By: Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
The Summer Universiade last night opened with a ceremony at the Taipei Municipal
Spectators at the Summer Universiade opening ceremony light the flashlights of their mobile phones as some of the teams that had been blocked by protesters were finally let into the Taipei Municipal Stadium yesterday. Photo: CNA
Stadium that featured an array of performances focused on Taiwanese culture.
The Summer Universiade, also known as the World University Games is the biggest sports event ever hosted by Taiwan. More than 7,700 young athletes from 141 nations are competing in the Games, which are scheduled to run through Aug. 30.
The nearly three-hour opening ceremony began at 7pm. Overture shows included traditional martial arts, a students’ marching band and performances by the honor guard, as well as singing and dancing to the Taipei Universiade’s theme song, Embrace the World (擁抱世界擁抱你) by the band I-Want Star Taiwan.
At 7pm, fireworks went off above the stadium marking the beginning of the event, followed by the Chinese Taipei Universiade Flag being brought in by eight Taiwanese representatives who competed in international sports events, led by former Olympic medalist Chi Cheng (紀政). [FULL STORY]
