Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Premier CHO Jung-Tai, Sports Administration Minister Lee Yang, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-Ming, Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Jun-Pin, and NCU President Hsiau Shu-San, among other prominent figures.
One of the most talked-about highlights was the torch relay ceremony, which the flame first ignited in the Arctic. The ritual was further enriched by incorporating the traditional “Mayasvi” of the Tsou Indigenous people from Alishan as a blessing ceremony. This symbolic journey—from the Earth’s polar region back to Taiwan’s cultural roots—was transformed into a moving and meaningful performance during the opening ceremony. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Rakuten Girls cheerleading squad delivered an energetic performance, while popular bands including PAPUN BAND and NCU’s Red Sox team took turns on stage, bringing the event to a vibrant climax.
The ceremony concluded with the “Three-Generation Torch Relay,” symbolizing the continuity of history and honor. NCU alumnus Lin Hsueh-Feng carried the torch from 1988 and passed it to former NCU President Jou Jing-Yang, representing the 2018 Games, before it was handed to current President Hsiau Shu-San, representing the 2026 Games. The torch was then entrusted to NCU’s gold medal-winning gymnast Chiou Min-Han, who led the torchbearers in lighting the flame of this year’s Games. Accompanied by spectacular lighting effects, the ceremony illuminated a brilliant pathway—symbolizing how the spirit of sport continues to evolve through time, now intertwined with the vision of sustainability for a new era.