TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) voiced strong support for Olympic boxing gold medalist Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) on Monday (Aug. 19), asserting that Lin has proven her worth through her performance and silenced all critics with her achievements.
Chiang's comments come after U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump implied that Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif are transgender during a rally in Pennsylvania two days earlier.
Chiang addressed the issue during an elementary school principals' conference, where he called on the central government to defend the reputation and competition rights of all Taiwanese athletes, including Lin.
"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it clear that Lin Yu-ting is fully qualified to represent Taiwan," Chiang stated, countering Trump's allegations.
The Taipei City mayor emphasized his expectation that the central government should robustly protect the dignity and rights of all athletes. He reiterated, "The central government should fully defend the honor and participation rights of all our athletes, including Lin Yu-ting."
The controversy has sparked widespread discussion, with many calling for a more substantial response from the central government. Chiang's statements reflect a broader sentiment of national pride and the need for unwavering support for Taiwanese athletes on the international stage.