TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese taekwondo athlete Lo Chia-ling (羅嘉翎) explained on Saturday (Aug. 10) why she chose to compete in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 despite slim chances of winning and the potential risks to her career. Lo said she wanted to give her best for herself and her country.
In her first-round match in the women's 57-kilogram taekwondo event, Lo lost 0-2 to Lebanese athlete Laetitia Aoun and was seen crying as she exited the venue.
A bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, Lo was Taiwan's sole representative in taekwondo at the Paris Games. Her performance was affected by a stress fracture in her left foot, and without an opportunity for a repechage round, she was unable to surpass her previous achievements.
Lo emphasized that despite her injury and the low odds of success, she chose to compete for her own sake, the taekwondo community, and her nation. Addressing why other athletes didn't replace her, Lo explained that replacing her would require another Taiwanese athlete to be ranked in the world's top 20. However, according to the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), she is the only Taiwanese athlete in the top 20 in the women's 57-kilogram category, making her the sole option to fight for Taiwan's glory.
Her coach, Liu Tsung-ta (劉聰達), faced controversy for his post-match comment that Lo would rather "break her legs on the field." Lo defended Liu on Facebook, praising him as a dedicated coach who prioritized athletes' well-being.
Lo's resilience and dedication highlight the challenges athletes face and the tough decisions they make to pursue their dreams.