New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) yesterday declared Aug. 12 “Lin Yu-ting Day” after the Taiwanese boxer won a gold medal in the women’s 57kg category at the Paris Olympics.
Lin’s hometown is in the city’s Yingge District (鶯歌). The final between Lin and Poland’s Julia Szeremeta was broadcast live at the city hall early yesterday morning, where Hou, Lin’s mother and more than 200 people rooted for her.
Thunderous roars and applause erupted at the city hall when the referee lifted Lin’s hand to show she had won.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
To celebrate Lin’s hard-won victory, Aug. 12 would be designated Lin Yu-ting Day, Hou said.
Train fares would be waived today for people taking the Ankeng (安坑) and Danhai (淡海) light rail transit systems, and people could get one week of free access to fitness centers and swimming centers at municipal sports centers, as well as the Banshu (板樹) and Taishan (泰山) sports parks, he said.
Admission fees would also be waived for one week for visitors to the city museum, he said.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Lin’s victory would be broadcast on the televisions at MRT stations, in sports centers and all public broadcasting systems owned by the city, the New Taipei City Government said.
New Taipei Metro Corp said that it could only offer the free MRT services today, because it first had to adjust the ticketing system.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said he would fulfill his pledge by giving away 300 deep-fried chicken cutlets at the party’s headquarters in Taipei at 10am today.
“Lin experienced gender discrimination at the Olympic Games, but she proved herself through her performance at the boxing ring. Her story showed the people in Taiwan that no one should be restricted by any stereotypical images of gender, and the best presentation is to be true to yourself,” Chu wrote on Facebook.
“Lin showed the resilience of a New Taipei City girl, and we are all deeply touched by her all-out attitude and fighting spirit. Thank you for uniting Taiwan once again,” he added.
KMT Taoyuan City Councilor Lin Tao (凌濤) also said that 100 cups of bubble tea would be available at the party’s headquarters and another 100 in his district office in Taoyuan.
PX Mart, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, HiLife, OK Mart, MOS Burger, KFC and Milksha outlets nationwide are also offering discounts on beverages and other products in celebration of Lin’s triumph.
People dining at Chiayi City’s Smart Fish restaurant (嘉義林聰明沙鍋魚頭) can receive one free Zhaoping beer (沼平櫻啤酒) if they place an order of NT$500 or more, or they can order two for the price of one.
A clock and watch shop in Tainan’s Yongkang District (永康) yesterday gave away 57 women’s watches because of Lin’s victory, with each costing NT$1,680. On Monday last week, the store gave away 50 watches after Lee Yang (李洋) and Wang Chi-ling (王齊麟) won a gold in the badminton men’s doubles.
Taipei 101 also displayed congratulatory remarks for Lin between 6:30pm and 10pm yesterday.
Five countries have in the past few months canceled preferential visa treatment for Taiwan passport holders due to pressure from China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. It was responding to a report by the National Audit Office that the number of countries offering preferential visa treatment to holders of Taiwan passports had dropped from 171 at the end of last year to 166 in April. In its Central Government Budget Audit Report, the National Audit Office also said that the ministry had failed to provide timely updates on the visa changes, which could affect Taiwan passport holders’ overseas travel. In response
More Taiwanese spectators at the Paris Olympics have reported having signs and banners confiscated by security staff or snatched by Chinese fans. Sandy Hsueh (薛雅俶), president of the Taiwanese Association in France, said that three security personnel confiscated a blank piece of cardboard from her at Sunday’s men’s doubles badminton final, in which Taiwan’s Lee Yang (李洋) and Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) defeated China’s Liang Weikeng (梁偉鏗) and Wang Chang (王昶) to win their second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event. A staff member told her they had “received an instruction from the Olympic Games saying that anything related to Taiwan or
‘UNITING TAIWAN’: While the boxer’s home town is offering free train and sports center access, stores around the nation are offering discounts to celebrate her victory New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) yesterday declared Aug. 12 “Lin Yu-ting Day” after the Taiwanese boxer won a gold medal in the women’s 57kg category at the Paris Olympics. Lin’s hometown is in the city’s Yingge District (鶯歌). The final between Lin and Poland’s Julia Szeremeta was broadcast live at the city hall early yesterday morning, where Hou, Lin’s mother and more than 200 people rooted for her. Thunderous roars and applause erupted at the city hall when the referee lifted Lin’s hand to show she had won. To celebrate Lin’s hard-won victory, Aug. 12 would be designated Lin
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