EAOC should reinstate Taichung as youth games host

TAICHUNG City, Taiwan was abruptly and unfairly deprived of the right to host the first East Asian Youth Games (2019 EAYG), scheduled to be held in August 2019, after an extraordinary meeting of the East Asian Olympic Committee (EAOC) on July 24.

The EAOC’s decision to cancel the EAYG is a tremendous disappointment for the young athletes from nine nations and regions, including Taiwan. Stripping Taichung of its standing as host of the 2019 EAYG is also unacceptable to the people of Taiwan.

Before the EAOC’s meeting, Taichung City was not invited to participate in any form of consultation and negotiation, nor was it invited to attend the meeting.

The meeting obviously violated the Host City Contract for the first EAYG signed by Taichung City, Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee and EAOC on Oct 24, 2014.

In the letter addressed to Taichung City on July 25, 2018, no mention was made regarding the substantial reason behind the resolution, nor did it explain any violation on the part of the city. Taichung City Government has formally lodged a complaint with the EAOC requesting that the city continue to host the 2019 EAYG.

Soon after the EAOC made the resolution, the government of China, which is one of the members on the EAOC, released an official statement claiming that the cancellation was due to the “name change” referendum campaign by some Taiwan citizens for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

While it is legal and rather common for people in a democratic society such as Taiwan to demonstrate public sentiments through referendums, the Chinese statement publicly acknowledged that the 2019 EAYG was cancelled for political reasons.

Since being awarded the Games in 2014, Taichung had spent an estimated US$22 million on preparations. All of these efforts should not be ignored, nor should it be nullified due to political factors. We call on the international community to support our request to the EAOC and denounce any political intervention in athletic competition and uphold the Olympic spirit.

Liu Bang-chuan Senior Adviser Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia