President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang apologized just hours after Chinese Taipei athletes left for Japan riding in economy class while officials sat in business class. Their apologies seem not enough to contain the controversy after a photo of athletes' accommodation came to light.
Su Tseng-chang, Premier, Republic of China:”We are very sorry, we really don't know how to make arrangements.”
The Chinese Taipei Olympic delegation departed for Japan on July 19 and was sent off by Premier Su Tseng-chang. One day later, he was apologizing to everyone.
Controversies erupted when athletes complained about flying to Japan in economy class while officials occupying business class. Another controversy happened when the star badminton player Tai Tzu-ying shared a post about her hotel room on social media.
The badminton delegation stayed at Marroad Inn Tokyo, a three-star hotel, which cost less than NT$3,000 a night. Photos showed that the rooms and facilities were relatively basic. On the contrary, officials reportedly stayed at a four-star hotel, whose price is nearly double.
Su Tseng-chang, Premier, Republic of China:”Even if the intentions were all good, we still have to explain to the athletes one by one. If we need to make additional business class reservations, then we will make them. The most inappropriate thing was for the officials to go sit in business class.”
The premier said Sports Administration personnel are staying at the Athletes' Village, and he also specially called Tai. He also claimed there will be accountability. Tai posted on Instagram that living outside the Athletes' Village will help to avert contact. She also mentioned that the hotel is 10 minutes from the competition venue, compared to 50 minutes for the Athletes' Village, which will give her more rest time. The New Power Party said the National Sports Training Center made a trip in 2019 to evaluate hotels and signed agreements with three intermediary hotels, Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West, Marroad Inn Tokyo, and Marroad Inn Omiya. The first has the highest standards of the three.
Lai Chia-lun, NPP Legislative Director:”The Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West was for support staff.”
Jang Chyi-lu, Legislator (TPP):”There was the risk of disease, but they still ran to Songshan Airport to see the athletes off. Doesn't that make us suspect that the government is yet again putting on another sendoff ceremony political show?
Wang Ting-yu, Legislator (DPP):”It's not fair to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the living arrangements at different hotels.”
On July 19, President Tsai Ing-wen used Facebook to respond to criticism that the arrangements were not attentive or considerate enough. She said she felt regret.
Meanwhile, Tai's father thanked everyone for their concern and said he hoped the focus will now shift to the competition and national glory will be won. Tai said the location of the hotel is an advantage and her focus now is on preparations
行政院長 蘇貞昌：「我們很對不起，很不會安排。」
前一天才歡送東奧代表團的行政院長蘇貞昌，20號再度向外界致歉。
東奧代表團從經濟艙爭議，再延燒到住宿風波，代表團抵達日本後，世界球后戴資穎PO出下榻的飯店，向外界報平安。羽球團入住的是三星級飯店「東京瑪洛德酒店」，照片可見房間設備較為陽春，一晚不用三千元，不過，卻爆出隨行官員入住四星級飯店，每晚平均要價5千到6千元。
行政院長 蘇貞昌：「就算再怎麼立意良善，都應該要跟選手一個一個好好的說明，該訂另外飛機商務艙就該商務艙。最不該的是，官員不應該坐進去商務艙。」
蘇貞昌表示，體育署官員都住選手村，也有特別致電給戴資穎，也強調一定會究責；戴資穎則在IG發文表示，住在外面能避免與人接觸，以及更靠近球場，選手村距離球場50分鐘，現在住的飯店距離場館只要10分鐘，能獲得更多休息時間。時代力量也透露，國訓中心2019年的考察報告，簽約設置三個中繼點，分別是西方飯店、東京瑪洛德酒店，以及大宮瑪洛德酒店，西方飯店規格較高級。
時代力量立法院主任 賴嘉倫：「西方酒店是給賽事中繼隊去住的。」
民眾黨立委 張其祿：「染疫的風險，跑到台北松山機場出發。這是不是又讓我們去懷疑，又是為了讓政府做這種起飛儀式的政治作秀。」
民進黨立委 王定宇：「不同的飯店來比較居住安排的優劣，並不公允。」
總統蔡英文19號在臉書發文，對安排不夠細心和貼心，對選手們感到非常遺憾。
戴資穎的父親戴楠凱，只低調發聲明表示，感謝大家的關心，希望能把關注重新放回比賽場，期盼在奧運賽場為國爭光。戴資穎也強調，住宿地點已是對選手好的安排，現在將重心放在訓練上面。