Taiwan President Lai announces increased support for athletes at Asian Games
Taiwan President William Lai said at a flag presentation ceremony at the Taiwan Sports Training Center in Kaohsiung that medical and rehabilitation support for athletes will be expanded ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. As reported by the Taipei Times, the number of support staff working with the delegation has been increased.
More staff for athletes
This year, 53 support staff members will work at the Taiwan delegation's headquarters, compared with about 40 previously. The team includes medical personnel, rehabilitation specialists and sports therapists.
The number of staff at individual support stations for athletes has also risen from about 13 to 42 people. At these stations, athletes can train, recover, receive medical care and nutrition. According to Lai, the Ministry of Sports is making every effort to provide athletes with the best possible support.
Delegation composition and competitions
The 20th Asian Games are scheduled to open on September 19. Taiwan's delegation will comprise 740 people, including 482 athletes who will compete in 34 sports under the name Chinese Taipei. Most competitions will take place in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, while Tokyo and other regions of Japan will host some events.
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Taiwan's Ministry of Sports, established in September 2025, is headed by its first minister, Lee Yang, a two-time Olympic champion in men's doubles badminton.
The president said he would not set a medal target for the team and urged athletes to focus on their own performances. Among the delegation's best-known participants are Olympic boxing champion Lin Yu-ting, Olympic weightlifting champion Kuo Hsing-chun, Olympic judo silver medalist Yang Yung-wei and Olympic artistic gymnastics silver medalist Lee Chih-kai.
Taiwan's best result in terms of gold medals at a single Asian Games is 19 awards. The team achieved this result in Bangkok in 1998 and in Hangzhou in 2022, placing sixth in the overall medal standings at both tournaments.
