Down Syndrome International

President Chen Shui-bian on June 5 met with Diane Dart, chairperson of the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation. The president expressed a warm welcome and gratitude to Ms. Dart on behalf of the government and 23 million people of the ROC (Taiwan).

The president expressed his appreciation to Ms. Dart for making a special visit to Taiwan to attend the 2007 Down Syndrome Invitational Swimming Tournament and to lend assistance and support to the hosts of the event here. President Chen also said he expects the event to be a success, due in part to the assistance provided by Y's Men International, Taiwan Region, the Taiwan International Disabilities Swimming Association, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, and the Down's Syndrome Association of the Republic of China.

In addition, the president also noted that lawyer Lawrence Chen, the director of Y's Men International, Taiwan Region, is not only an outstanding senior member of the legal community on Taiwan, but has long devoted himself to swimming activities for the handicapped. Mr. Chen jointly founded the Taiwan International Disabilities Swimming Association with several other people involved in public service work, and serves as director of the organization. This provides more opportunities and a platform for local swimmers with Down's syndrome to put in an outstanding performance in the pool. The president furthermore said that seven young swimmers from Taiwan with Down's syndrome last September attended the 3rd World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Ireland. Over 100 competitors from 18 countries took part in the competition. The Taiwan team came away with 13 gold medals, nine silver medals and six bronze medals. The president praised the outstanding performance of the team.

President Chen said that the government and each person have a responsibility to create a barrier-free environment for disabled persons. He said he strongly supports and encourages all handicapped people to stand up and walk out into the community, emerging from their isolation. He said he hopes Taiwan swimmers with Down's syndrome will continue to pass along the baton and put in another strong performance at next year's World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships to be held in Portugal. The president added that he hopes Ms. Dart will assist Taiwan in obtaining the right to hold the 2010 World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships.

Ms. Dart was accompanied in the afternoon to the Presidential Building by Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-wen and Taiwan International Disabilities Swimming Association Director Lawrence Chen. Also in attendance was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Chen Chi-mai.

Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan)