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Chao Yi Kuai, a coach for the Special Olympics Chinese Taipei delegation, is overcome with emotion at the welcoming reception they received at Dublin Airport 24 June. The delegation had arrived late to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games due to the restrictions placed on delegations from SARS-infected regions. [Photo credit: Alan Betson, IRELAND OUT]
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Opening Ceremonies for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games had been held three days prior, but the Special Olympics Chinese Taipei delegation was still excited and ready to go when they arrived in Dublin, Ireland, at 2 p.m. on 24 June. Greeted by bagpipes and with more than a few members of the delegation shedding tears of joy and relief, the arrival was both a triumphant end to a trying situation and an exciting beginning to the athletes’ World Games dream.
Until just a few days ago, the delegation had thought they would not be able to attend the World Games at all, due to the Irish Health Authority’s ban on travel of Special Olympics delegations from SARS-infected areas. Now, even though they arrived late, the athletes, coaches and officials of Chinese Taipei will be able to experience the excitement and fulfillment of the movement’s flagship event.
“It was a tough situation,” said Henry (Ming Jeng) Chen, Chinese Taipei’s chief representative in Ireland, “but it had a happy ending.” The ending was somewhat bittersweet, however. The delegation originally had a total of 69 athletes, coaches, trainers and officials; however, due to the rush of the last-minute decision to allow them to attend, the delegation had to reduce their number to 48, including 40 athletes.
When the delegation was informed they had to reduce the number of their delegation, they then had to make a decision on how to do so. They decided to draw lots to determine which would be able to attend. “Can you imagine their feelings?” said Chen. “After all their training and hard work, the athletes felt very sad. It was their dream to attend the competition. The opportunity to compete in the World Games may only come once in their lifetime.”
Despite their late arrival, the delegation won’t miss out on the complete World Games experience. Because the delegation did not arrive until 24 June, it was not able to participate in the Host Town Program. (The Host Town program took place the week before Opening Ceremonies. Towns in Ireland opened their doors to delegations from around the world, housing the team and providing sporting facilities for athletes to train before the Games.) But Chinese Taipei’s host town – Portlaoise, Co. Laois – did their part to ensure the athletes enjoy the World Games and their visit to Ireland by inviting them to come to their town after the Games.
"When we heard they weren't coming, we were disappointed and frustrated," said Margaret Ryan, Public Relations Officer for the Portlaoise Host Town Committee. "Then when we found that they were coming after all, we reacted with great delight and excitment, even more so when they asked us to host them after the Games." Portlaoise is committed to providing the Special Olympics Chinese Taipei delegation true Irish hospitality. She explained that the 15 volunteers who make up the Portlaoise Host Town Committee had taken time off from their jobs before the World Games in order to host the Special Olympics Chinese delegation. Now, with the change of plans, the vast majority of them revised their plans accommodate the delegation's post-Games visit.
“We are all very appreciative of the efforts of Special Olympics and the people of Portlaoise who told us, not matter what, they cherish the delegation from Taiwan and will make sure they visit our town, even after the Games,” said Chen. “I’m very touched by their commitment.”
The members of the Chinese Taipei delegation also expressed their appreciation and gratitude for Special Olympics’ efforts to ensure that they were able to attend and compete at the World Games. If ever there was a situation where the phrase “better late than never” applied, this is it. The Chinese Taipei athletes are at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games, living their dream.
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