In a grand gesture of national pride, Taiwan has celebrated its Olympic medalists with a spectacular display of military might.
On August 13, the island nation greeted its athletes returning from the Paris Olympics with a stunning aerial escort by three F-16 Viper fighter jets, marking a memorable tribute to their achievements.
Competing under the name “Chinese Taipei,” Taiwanese athletes excelled in Paris, securing seven medals—two golds and five bronzes—making it the island’s second-best performance in Olympic history.
The athletes’ success was particularly poignant, with boxer Lin Yu-ting’s gold medal win in the women’s boxing final drawing special attention.
Lin’s victory was marred by controversy, as she and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif were embroiled in a high-profile debate over gender eligibility.
Despite the challenges, Lin’s triumph was celebrated widely within Taiwan. Her hometown of New Taipei City held large watch parties to support her.
To honor the athletes, President Lai Ching-te ordered the deployment of three F-16 fighter jets to escort their chartered plane home. The jets, which took off at 5 a.m., accompanied the flight to Taoyuan International Airport, where it touched down at 7:10 a.m.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) released footage showing the jets flying alongside the plane, releasing celebratory flares into the morning sky. This display mirrored a similar gesture from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where four Mirage 2000-5 jets were used to welcome home Taiwanese athletes.
The athletes’ return was a source of national celebration. Besides Lin Yu-ting’s gold, the island’s other gold medal was claimed by Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, the badminton duo who defended their men’s doubles title against China’s team. Their victories, alongside the five bronze medals, highlighted a remarkable Olympic campaign for Taiwan.
On August 16, the athletes will be honored with a “Taiwan Heroes Parade,” starting from the Presidential Office at 3 p.m. and concluding at Zhongshan S. Road.
The event will celebrate the athletes’ remarkable achievements and contribution to Taiwanese pride on the global stage.
The Ministry of National Defense reiterated that the deployment of the F-16s adhered to all relevant regulations and did not interfere with any combat missions, ensuring the celebratory gesture was respectful and within official guidelines.
Controversy surrounding Taiwanese boxer
Lin Yu-ting and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif entered the Paris Olympics under a cloud of controversy. Both had been central figures in a contentious debate over gender identity in sports. Their participation followed the International Boxing Association (IBA) ‘s disqualification from the previous year’s world championships.
The IBA, led by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev and funded by the state oil company Gazprom, disqualified them due to unspecified gender tests, which led to claims from critics questioning their eligibility to compete in women’s events.
These allegations placed Lin and Khelif at the forefront of a broader discussion on gender identity and safety regulations in sports. The IBA’s handling of the situation was criticized for a lack of due process, particularly after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) criticized the “arbitrary” testing imposed on the athletes.
The IBA’s Olympic status was revoked in June 2023 amidst allegations of governance issues and corruption, further complicating the matter.
Adding to the drama, IBA’s president, Kremlev, in a disorganized press conference, alleged that both athletes had undergone “genetic testing,” which purportedly showed they were men.
However, the IOC defended both athletes, affirming that Lin and Khelif were born and raised as women and possessed passports reflecting their gender. Neither athlete identifies as transgender.
The situation gained further visibility due to public statements from figures such as former US President Donald Trump and author J.K. Rowling, who contributed to the online debate and controversy.
Lin Yu-ting, amid this uproar, has largely maintained a focus on her performances and expressed gratitude towards her supporters, including praise for her opponents. Her quarterfinal and semifinal matches in Paris were marked by a mix of sportsmanship and controversy, as some competitors expressed that Lin should not have been eligible to compete.
Amid the ongoing debate, Lin has received robust support from Taiwan, including from former President Tsai Ing-wen, who publicly expressed solidarity with the boxer via social media.
This support highlights the strong national pride and support Lin has garnered throughout her Olympic journey despite the contentious circumstances surrounding her participation.
