TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Olympic boxing champion Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) returned to her hometown of Yingge, New Taipei on Sunday (Aug. 18), where she received a heroine’s welcome, with a parade to celebrate her victory at the Paris Olympics. 

Speaking to the media, Lin commented on the international controversy surrounding her gender and eligibility to participate in women’s boxing. Lin generously thanked the British author JK Rowling, who made critical comments questioning her gender, saying the author’s posts helped “everyone get to know me,” reported CNA.   

To welcome the gold medalist back to her hometown, the New Taipei City government, local district office, and public schools in Yingge joined efforts to organize the parade and other activities. 

At the start of the parade in front of Yingge District Office, Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) presented a ceramic “Gold Medal Cup” to congratulate Lin on behalf of New Taipei City. Yingge District is known for its local ceramic industry, and the cup was made of red clay, painted white and blue with gold accents to represent Yingge, Taiwan, and Lin’s gold medal victory, per CNA. 

Lin was happy and grateful to see everyone in her hometown celebrate her accomplishment. She said it was heartwarming to see how sports bring people together and hoped everyone in Yingge and Taiwan felt pride in her success. 

After being escorted by Taiwan Air Force jets for her homecoming, Lin has had several engagements with the media and political leaders, as well as a four-hour autograph session for fans at New Taipei City Hall, per CNA. New Taipei even declared Aug. 12 “Lin Yu-ting Day” in honor of her accomplishments.