is exactly what FISU found for every sport in Taipei. The crowds had a great knowledge of sport. They made so much noise for the athlete in first place. And they made the same noise for the athlete in last place.”

Other FISU staff that spoke with TOPICS noted the surprising number of Taiwanese spectators who stuck around for the medal ceremonies, often well after the end of competitions, even when Taiwanese athletes were not on the podium.

Of the numerous events that this reporter attended, not only was there a striking number of spectators in the stands – most events were filled to capacity or close to it – but the energy with which they cheered all athletes, even those competing against Taiwanese athletes, was equally noteworthy.

The end resultwas a high level of competition that produced two world records and 36 Universiade records. But what may have been the biggest surprise, for both Taiwanese and international spectators, was the performance of Taiwanese athletes.

By the end of competition, Team Taiwan – forced under International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules to compete under the name “Chinese Taipei” – had placed third in the medal count, with 26 gold, 34 silver, and 30 bronze. Only Japan, which is preparing to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, and South Korea finished with more medals than Taiwan, and only by slight margins. Few people were expecting Taiwan to win more medals than the United States or the Russian Federation, who finished fourth and fifth respectively, but that’s exactly what happened.

The Taiwanese medalists,