Chinese Taipei at The 2004 Summer Olympics - Overview

Overview

Chinese Taipei (中華台北隊)(中國臺北隊)(中華民國臺北隊)(臺灣隊)(臺灣臺北隊) is the designated name used by the Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan, to participate in some international organizations and almost all sporting events, such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Para Games and FIFA World Cup.

During the Opening Ceremony, the banner held by Chinese Taipei read (in Greek) "KINEZIKH ΤΑΪΠΕΪ", yet the team marched under the letter "T" (as if though the second word came first), so that it would not have to march immediately after China. The same order was observed in the placement of the flags around the Athens Olympic Stadium.

In Taekwondo, Chen Shih Hsin became the first Taiwanese athlete and ROC (Taiwan) citizen to win a gold medal at the Olympics. She was followed twenty minutes later by Chu Mu Yen. Pursuant to further IOC rules, the National Banner Song was played in place of the National Anthem of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at their awards ceremonies. This was the 15th appearance at the Summer Olympics by the Republic of China (Taiwan) (the 6th under the title "Chinese Taipei").