At least 11 Olympians are due to represent Chinese Taipei at the International University Sports Federation’s flagship event, scheduled to open in the Chinese city on June 26.

Among those include gymnast Lee Chih-kai, judoka Yang Yung-wei, archer Tang Chih-chun, table tennis player Lin Yun-ju and taekwondo fighter Lo Chia-ling, who all medalled at last year’s Olympics in Tokyo.

Yang became the first Taiwanese athlete to win a medal in judo when he secured silver in the men’s 60 kilograms category.

Lee, an Asian Games gold medallist, earned silver in the men’s pommel horse, securing Chinese Taipei’s first-ever Olympic gymnastics medal.

Tang was part of the Chinese Taipei’s men’s recurve team that secured silver in archery, while Lin teamed up with Cheng I-ching to bag mixed doubles bronze in table tennis and Lo won women’s 57kg bronze in taekwondo.

Taiwan’s Sports Administration has confirmed that the five athletes will be joined by other athletes as the selection process continues.

Hung Chih-chang, deputy head of the Sports Administration, revealed that selection would be completed by the end of next month before the team are officially registered by May 25.

According to Hung, the World University Games will be a warm-up event for Taiwanese athletes in preparation for the Asian Games, due to be staged in Hangzhou in China in September.

Chengdu was originally scheduled to stage the World University Games last August before being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Games are due to conclude on July 7.