Accused of Campus Bullying and Sexual Harassment, Olympic Gymnastics Coach Weng Shih-hang Clears His Name

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporters Chen Jung-chen, Lin Ching-yin, Taipei 21st) Olympic gymnastics coach and Associate Professor of National Taiwan Normal University's Department of Athletic Performance, Weng Shih-hang, was accused today by the Humanistic Education Foundation and others of involvement in bullying and sexual harassment. He clarified that he had absolutely no such behavior and revealed that the case has entered investigation procedures, hoping that the facts will be fully restored based on evidence.

The Humanistic Education Foundation and several Democratic Progressive Party legislators held a press conference titled "This is Abuse, Not Training, Yet the Perpetrators Are Still on Campus," accusing Weng Shih-hang, an associate professor in the Department of Athletic Performance at National Taiwan Normal University, and assistant coach Mai Liu Hsiang-han of bullying students. They also released pre-recorded videos of relevant students and audio recordings suspected of Mai Liu Hsiang-han bullying students.

Feng Chiao-lan, CEO of the Humanistic Education Foundation, stated that Weng Shih-hang demanded students obey matters unrelated to training, even requiring them to kneel when apologizing, speaking to coaches in a high-kneeling posture, and greeting visitors in a high-kneeling posture. Some students who were late or slow in their movements were allegedly forced by Mai Liu Hsiang-han to stand on their heads for 2 hours, causing severe eye swelling.

Democratic Progressive Party legislators Chen Pei-yu and Wu Pei-yi stated that today's press conference was held because students sought help from the student association. They called on NTNU to actively address the issue, emphasizing that no matter how brilliant the achievements of the two coaches, they cannot bully students or provide a protective umbrella for coaches who sexually harass students. They demanded that the Ministry of Education and the Sports Administration intervene quickly.

Weng Shih-hang immediately held a press conference to explain that there was absolutely no bullying behavior and responded to the accusations one by one, including not stopping athletes from talking in certain postures, not allowing slapping-related behaviors, and stating that pressing on female athletes' chests was completely unfounded. He also mentioned that the high-kneeling posture is a habitual behavior of athletes, and many Olympic-level athletes also have such movements. "As long as the children are more comfortable, we respect their wishes."

Regarding being suspended by NTNU for two years, Weng Shih-hang said that he has gradually transitioned since the end of the Paris Olympics, assisting in teaching and passing on experience to the next generation. The entire case has entered legal relief and investigation procedures, and he reiterated, "What didn't happen, didn't happen."

Established in 2013 with the original intention of cultivating the next generation, Weng Shih-hang stated that although his words may usually be strict, he would never lay a hand on children and maintains good communication and interaction with parents. He hopes that the Ministry of Education's relevant investigations will clarify the actual situation.

Several parents came to support Weng Shih-hang, believing that Weng Shih-hang's strictness was based on professional training and expectations for children's growth, not so-called "abuse." They called on all sectors to stop convicting and slandering based on partial information before the investigation results are released, and to refocus on the children's learning and growth. "As parents, what we care about most is always the safety and development of our children."

Regarding the accusation of stuffing members into the Chinese Taipei Gymnastics Association, Weng Shih-hang complained that the outside world exaggerated his influence and mentioned that NTNU does not control the Gymnastics Association as outsiders say. Everyone's love for the Gymnastics Association is a personal choice. "All associations can be freely joined, it's not something we can manipulate." (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150421

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