Deaflympics official hails success of Taiwan event

Sep 15, 2009, 6:55 GMT

   Taipei - The organizer of the 21st Summer Deaflympics on Tuesday praised Taiwan for hosting the 'best-ever' Deaflympics.

   Dr Donalda Ammons, president of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, made the remark while receiving honorary citizenship of Taipei from Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin.

   'In terms of competition venues, efficiency and Taipei citizens' smiles, the Taipei Deaflympics is the best-ever Deaflympics,' she said through sign language at the Taipei citizenship presentation ceremony.

   After 10 days of competition involving nearly 3,000 deaf athletes from 80 countries and regions, the event was set to close Tuesday evening with a 350-table feast at the Taipei Stadium for all the teams and staff.

   Each of the 15,000 spectators will receive a lunch box so that the spectators will not be left out of the feast.

   The Chinese delegation said it would attend the closing ceremony, after having boycotted the inauguration to protest President Ma Ying-jeou's opening of the games.

   At a news conference Tuesday, Zhao Sujing, spokeswoman for the Chinese team, said half of the 100-member Chinese delegation had left Taiwan, but the remaining 50 members will attend.

   'We want to participate in the closing ceremony and share the joy of the ceremony,' she said.

   It is believed that the Chinese team decided to attend the closing ceremony after learning that President Ma will not show up at the ceremony.

   The Chinese team boycotted the opening ceremonies of both games to protest President Ma's opening of the games.

   China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and does not recognize Ma's title as president or Taiwan's formal title, Republic of China.