This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC). Over the century, the committee has been committed to the cultivation of Olympics-related education and the training of outstanding athletes in Taiwan, emphasizing the fact that sports not only help to maintain health and fitness, but help people to learn to challenge their own limits, persevere, manage success and failure, and cultivate tolerance to setbacks. All these virtues are in line with the educational philosophy of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, which i continuing to promote its cooperation with the CTOC by hosting the “Experience the Olympics Youth Camp” for the second time.
The youth camp was held on October 19th, beginning with opening ceremony which was attended by a number of VIPs from the university and the Olympic association including university president Chin-Lung Chang, PE Director Shiou-ching Lin, Chinese Taipei Olympic Education Committee chairwoman Meiyen Chen, Olympic Taekwondo gold medalist and current Chinese Olympic Sports Committee chairman Chu Mu-yen, Taiwan National Training Center executive director Wenbin Li, International Waterski Federation committee member Shannon Teng, and ROC Gymnastics Association selection committee member Yu-Hsuan Kuo.
More than 300 students from high schools in the Pingtung and Kaohsiung area participated in the event, among them were many medalists from the National Games, World School Games, a World Junior Championships.
In his remarks, NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang said “not only does NPUST have expansive campus grounds, but it is also attracting much attention when it comes to the cultivation of professional knowledge and humanities. Today we are holding the Experience the Olympics Youth Camp” which is based on core principles which coincide with those held by the university. Through the special lectures and dynamic activities which have been organized, we hope that all participating students will be exposed to new experiences.”
NPUST PE Director Shiou-ching Lin said “the purpose of organizing this event is to help students understand the spirit of Olympic education, and that through a series of activities, they will be able to gain new and enjoyable experiences.”
Chinese Taipei Olympic Education Committee chairwoman Meiyen Chen also made some remarks, stating that “this activity coincides with the centennial anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Education Committee. This is the second time this experiential activity has been held, and as we interact each other, we hope to be of service to the young athletes and schools and that through the time of exchange, everyone will be able to gain a lot.”
The first speaker of the day was International Waterski Federation committee member Shannon Teng who shared on the core values of sports and the Olympics and about ways to build on life experiences. In the second talk, Chinese Olympic Sports Committee chairman Chu Mu-yen shared on his personal experiences from international competitions and the origins and historical evolution of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee. Following this was Tokyo Olympic track and field athlete Hsieh Hsi-en, who shared her life story and the processes of struggle and injury.
In the afternoon Zak Orienteers, a gold medalist at the Asian Orienteering Championships led the students on “orienteering” activity, which encouraged them to find hope and opportunities in the face of adversity. This was followed by a weight lifting activity instructed by Taiwan Weightlifting Association Deputy Secretary-General Yu-De Wang, who used an innovative teaching method that made use of PBC water pipes instead of dumbbells so that the students could get a feel for the techniques and form required in weightlifting.
Taiwan’s successes at the Tokyo Olympics set off a wave of national attention to athletics and brought inspiration to the country. NPUST, which has been honored to receive support from the Asian Olympic Council and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Association, is working to add to the momentum. Not only is the university encouraging college students to have positive attitudes towards their jobs and lives after stepping into society, but it also is helping senior high school students apply the Olympic motto of “faster, higher, stronger and more united” to their activities and to deeply root the sportsman spirit of “excellence, friendship and respect” in their hearts.
