Gymnastics official fired over non-issuance of invites
By Wu Meng-ju, Yeh Yu-chien and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writer
The Ministry of Sports yesterday dismissed the secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Gymnastics Association (CTGA) after the organization unilaterally rejected an invitation for two gymnasts to compete at next month’s Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in the Netherlands without informing the athletes or their coaches.
CTGA secretary-general Chiang Chien-tung (江建東) failed to comment on or apologize for the association’s decision to deprive two gymnasts of the opportunity to compete in the competition in Rotterdam next month, the ministry said in a statement.
Gymnasts Lee Chia-wei (李佳蔚) and Pan Cai-chen (潘采宸) earned reserve qualification spots for the uneven bars and floor exercise events respectively.
Tsai Yu-hua, left, the grandmother of gymnast Pan Cai-chen, cries as the mother of gymnast Lee Chia-wei looks on at a news conference in Taipei.
Photo: Lo Hsin-chen, Taipei Times
The CTGA on Tuesday apologized. It said it received an e-mail on Aug. 20 offering reserve spots, with a confirmation deadline of Aug. 21.
Administrative procedures are that the matter be reviewed via the governing body’s athlete selection and training committee, which would have meant compiling attendance and other records, it said in a separate statement.
As a result, it failed to promptly inform the athletes and their coaches, the CTGA said, adding that it would conduct an internal review and implement measures to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry said that it contacted the CTGA on Thursday, demanding an immediate investigation and public apology, but received no response.
Chiang was also absent when the ministry convened yesterday, it said.
The CTGA mishandled the issue and its explanations show it failed to fulfill its administrative duties, the ministry said, adding that it ordered the governing body to submit a comprehensive review, clarify its decisionmaking process and determine responsibility.
It also dismissed Chiang from his post in accordance with Article 43 of the National Sports Act (國民體育法), the ministry said.
Clear mechanisms are needed to fill vacancies in international competitions and issue emergency notifications, it said.
Notifications about an athlete’s eligibility must be relayed immediately to athletes and their coaches, it added.
Gymnasts must not be deprived of opportunities due to internal administrative delays, the ministry said, adding that those responsible for infringing upon athletes’ rights would be held accountable.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei (徐富癸), who has been advocating for the athletes, welcomed the ministry’s decisions, saying they would better protect gymnasts.
The ministry and sports associations should establish clear rules governing competition eligibility and ensure that the athletes who were affected are compensated.
Tsai Yu-hua (蔡玉華), Pan’s grandmother, thanked Pingtung County Commissioner Chou Chun-mi (周春米) for her support and called for the full decisionmaking process to be made public.
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