Chinese athletes to boycott closing ceremony of World Games

TAIPEI - Chinese athletes were to boycott the closing ceremony Sunday of the 8th World Games in Kaohsiung, south Taiwan, the Liberty Times reported.

The Chinese delegation had also boycotted the opening ceremony of the Games. Most of the Chinese athletes had already left Taiwan.

China sent 59 athletes to participate in eight events at the World Games, which includes some 30 sports that are not included in the Olympics.

China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and does not want Taiwan’s leader, President Ma Ying-jeou to appear at international events.

However, in view of improved cross-strait ties, Beijing and Taipei seemed to have reached a consensus - President Ma opened the games and the Chinese team did not show up, but did not protest either, the report said.

Some 4,800 athletes from about 100 countries took part in the World Games, which are held every four years. The 2013 World Games will be held in Cali, Colombia.