Taiwan President Meets Int'l World Games President

President Chen Meets International World Games Association President Ron Froehlich

President Chen Shui-bian on August 2 met with International World Games Association President Ron Froehlich, who is in Taiwan to examine the state of preparations being made for the hosting of the World Games in 2009 by Kaohsiung.

President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a warm welcome and gratitude to Mr. Froehlich.

The president first expressed his appreciation to Mr. Froehlich for assisting Kaohsiung in obtaining the right to hold the 2009 World Games. He said the 23 million people of Taiwan are excited about the prospect of the games being held in Kaohsiung.

Staging the games is not only the pride and expectation for Kaohsiung citizens, but also an honor for all people of Taiwan. President Chen added that all levels of society, from the central government to local governments, and both the public and private sectors fully support having Taiwan host this international sporting event.

The president said Taiwan will do its best to coordinate with Mr. Froehlich in attending to the wide range of issues in the preparation for the event.

Various government agencies, including the Government Information Office, the Council for Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and even the Executive Yuan's Counter Terrorism Office and the Ministry of National Defense will work together to ensure that the games are successful.

President Chen said Mr. Froehlich expressed his hope during a meeting with Premier Chang Chun-hsiung that parachutists will be featured during the opening ceremony. The president said Taiwan's military is honored to be able to participate in this activity and the paratoopers will have no problem in taking part in the event.

Mr. Froehlich expressed his concern as to whether a potential change in the Kaohsiung mayor might have an impact on the holding of the games. President Chen told Mr. Froehlich that he should rest at ease as Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu has made the hosting of the World Games a focus of work for the Kaohsiung government.

He added that there is still two years before the games will be held. CEO of the Kaohsiung Organizing Committee Chi Cheng, who is a high-ranking officer in the International World Games Association, previously won a gold medal at the Asian Games and a bronze medal at the Olympics.

The president expressed his confidence that Chi's presence will help to ensure the successful preparations for and holding of the games.

ENDS

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