Lai Sends Taiwan’s Asian Games Team to Aichi-Nagoya With Support, Not a Medal Target
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te officially sent the country’s delegation to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday, presenting the national and delegation flags while urging athletes to focus on performing at their best rather than chasing a government-set medal quota.
At a flag-presentation ceremony at the National Sports Training Center in Kaohsiung on September 8, Lai presented the flags to Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee Chairman Tsai Chia-fu and delegation leader Liao Yu-hui. He also presented a NT$300,000 meal allowance and “good-luck” charms to athlete representatives.
The ceremony came just 11 days before the Asian Games officially open in Japan on September 19.
Lai: No medal target for Taiwan
One of the most notable elements of Lai’s message was his decision not to set a specific medal target for the delegation.
Rather than asking athletes to reach a predetermined number of gold, silver or bronze medals, Lai told them to trust their preparation, believe in themselves and perform without holding back.
CNA reported that Lai said the athletes had earned their place on the Asian Games stage through years of training, setbacks and challenges, and that the competition platform ultimately belonged to them.
The president emphasized that athletes should focus on exceeding their previous performances and making the most of their opportunity.
His approach represents a shift away from placing a numerical medal expectation at the center of the government's message before the competition begins.
Taiwan sends 482 athletes to Japan
Taiwan is preparing one of its strongest Asian Games contingents, with 482 athletes competing across 34 sports, according to the Presidential Office.
The delegation will compete in a broad range of events, including athletics, badminton, baseball, boxing, breakdancing, esports, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting and other disciplines.
Taiwan News previously reported that the Ministry of Sports had announced a 482-athlete roster for the Aichi-Nagoya Games, highlighting expected strength in sports including boxing, judo, badminton, softball and baseball.
Bigger support team follows Taiwan's athletes
Lai also highlighted expanded government support for athletes competing in Japan.
According to the Presidential Office and CNA, the delegation headquarters' professional support staff has increased from around 40 people to 53, including medical, rehabilitation and sports-protection personnel.
Taiwan is also establishing support facilities in Nagoya and Toyohashi, along with a satellite station in Tokyo. The number of personnel assigned to intermediate support stations has increased substantially compared with the previous Asian Games.
The expanded support network is designed to assist athletes with areas including:
- Training support
- Nutrition
- Medical care
- Rehabilitation
- Transportation
- Sports protection and physical therapy
Lai said the government would remain behind the athletes and provide the resources needed for them to compete at their highest level.
Wang Chi-lin and other stars prepare for another Asian Games
Several established Taiwanese athletes are preparing to compete in Aichi-Nagoya.
Badminton star Wang Chi-lin accepted a good-luck charm on behalf of the delegation at Tuesday's ceremony. CNA reported that Wang is preparing for his third Asian Games and said the ceremony renewed his motivation to represent Taiwan.
Wang's appearance also carried an emotional connection to his former men's doubles partner and current Sports Minister Lee Yang, who was present in his government role.
Other athletes highlighted ahead of the Games include judo star Yang Yung-wei, weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun, boxer Chen Nien-chin and sprinter Yang Chun-han. CNA reported that the athletes emphasized preparation, recovery and the goal of delivering their best performances in Japan.
Taiwan heads into a major Asian sporting showdown
The 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will run from September 19 through October 4, 2026, with Nagoya serving as the main host city and events taking place across Aichi Prefecture and other locations in Japan.
Taiwan's delegation will enter the competition amid intense regional competition.
China has announced an 815-athlete delegation and is targeting another top finish in the overall medal standings, while South Korea is sending 792 athletes and targeting roughly 45 gold medals and another top-three finish.
Against that backdrop, Lai's decision not to establish a medal quota puts the emphasis squarely on individual and team performance.
The message behind Taiwan's send-off
For Taiwan's athletes, Tuesday's ceremony was more than a formal flag presentation.
It marked the final stage of preparation before they travel to Japan and take the international sporting spotlight.
Lai's message was clear: the government will provide the support, but the competition belongs to the athletes.
With the flags formally handed over and the countdown to September 19 underway, Taiwan's delegation now turns its attention from preparation to performance.
And without a government-set medal target hanging over them, the question becomes even more intriguing:
How far can Taiwan's athletes go when they step onto the Aichi-Nagoya stage with nothing to chase except their own best?