Taiwanese sport climbers denied Asian Games participation despite qualifying

Three Taiwanese athletes who qualified for the Nagoya Asian Games in sport climbing will not be allowed to compete, sparking frustration among their coaches and supporters. Fan Zhi-en, Yao Ting-chen, and Lin Jia-hsiang had secured their spots for the event, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

However, a recent training and consultation meeting determined that the athletes would not be sent due to their past results in Asian and World Championships not meeting specific standards. The decision was based on an overall assessment of competitiveness and the effectiveness of the national team's participation.

Coaches expressed dismay, stating they had never encountered a situation in international climbing where qualified athletes were barred from national representation due to domestic policy. The athletes had been actively preparing since April, including self-funded training trips to Japan, incurring costs of NT$80,000 to NT$100,000 per month. This sudden exclusion has significantly impacted their morale and preparation.

The Chinese Taipei Sport Climbing Association acknowledged the support from the Ministry of Sport and the National Sports Agency. While regretting the athletes' inability to participate, the association stated it respects the relevant regulations but hopes for future improvements to the system. Concerns were also raised about how the vacated spots might be filled and the potential difficulties for the association in international dealings following this decision. Some suggest allowing self-funded participation to ensure athletes can compete on the international stage.