Closing of the World games 2009
The 2009 World games closed in a spectacular style on July 26th as it was scheduled. On the evening of the day, it was reported that some 40,000 people attended the Closing Ceremony. Every one had a small LED light in their hands, waving in tune to the movements of music, and orchestrating with the magnificent fireworks displaying above. It was like the Silver River of Stars (Milk Way) above came down at the site when the 1500 athletes from 105 nations entered the Stadium led by Taiwan’s United Armed Forces Orchestra playing marching tunes. China’s athletes failed to show at the Closing Ceremony, as with the Opening time. What a pitiful occasion for the different parties of Chinese athletes who arrived just before and left for home right after their games ended without given a chance to see Taiwan, Formosa, an island beautiful!
After the main floor show with ten colorful themed dance and visual performances designed to showcase the history of the host city, then more than 100 traditional hot-air Sky Lanterns were released into the air to wish good fortune and health of the athletes before Ron Froelich, the President of the International World Games Association and Chen Chu, Mayor of Kaohsiung City addressed the packed crowd. Mr. Froehlich called the Kaohsiung Games the “Best ever” and hard to be surpassed. Mayor Chen, speaking in Mandarin and Taiwanese, said the Games is the pride of people all over Taiwan, and will be engraved into the hearts of Kaohsiung residents. The Mayor especially paid tribute to the more than 6,000 vilunteers who sat in the VIP section for their contribution in making the World Games such a success. before calling for her fellow Taiwanese to “fight in unity for the dignity of our country”. She concluded with asking everyone to help the upcoming September’s Deaflympics in Taipei a success and to “polish the brilliance of Taiwan in the international arena”.
After the addesses, the flags of the World games were lowered and carried over to the President of the Association and the Mayor by Taiwan’s triple-gold-medal-winning speed roller skater and the flag was handover to a representative of Cali, Columbia, where the next World games will take place in four years time.
At this World Games, Taiwan had a total of 24 medals, 8 gold, 9 silver, and 7 copper and ranked number 7 after Russia, Italy, China, USA, Ukraine, and France. But the significance of the event was the spirit of the people of Taiwan who united and worked hard for the Games’ success, while showing their pride and dignity in making contribution to an international event as a host country.
Ron Froehlich, the President of the International World Games, was reported to have negative view of Taiwan and Kaohsiung’s hosting the Games. But as he worked with the City and the people in preparation of the event, his attitude gradually changed to better. The unceasing pressure and nagging from China during the preparatory period also irked him and led to his formal introduction of Ma Ing-jhiou as the “President of the Republic of China” at the Opening Ceremony.
