It was a big day for the smallest small-fry when the Social Affairs Department of the Taipei City Government held a sports meet for children aged 3 to 5 at the Taipei City Baseball Field April 2 in celebration of Children's Day. Some 5,000 children from nursery schools and kindergartens took part. Around the playground an audience of over 10,000, mostly primary school students and parents, applauded and shouted, as the toddlers ran, jumped and played. The events were the same as those of an ordinary athletic meet, but considerably scaled down. During the opening ceremony, peace pigeons were released and balloons and rally flags flown. A parade, rally songs, dances, gymnastics, a relay race and tug of war all drew crowds and applause. There even were cheering squads to add to the excitement.
The children taking part in the sports meet had practiced faithfully. They wore uniforms like the large athletes-except for size. The audience shouted applause as soon as they appeared. Their seriousness in the competition made viewers smile as these children strove earnestly for perfection in what they did. Sometimes, when one or two could not keep up with the team, or found their performances not up to standard, they cried on the spot. They wanted to do their best and tried hard, but their best wasn't enough. The meet ended after two hours. These handsome, healthy and vigorous children symbolize the vigor and hopes of the Republic of China.
Performance of exercises is an important event
Basketball workout at the juvenile meet
The chairman speaks at the opening ceremony
Little athletes circle the track
Little contestants pass the review stand
Small charmers perform rally dance
They call this game "Marrying a Bride"
The relay race of tumblers
This is called "lovely kangaroo"
Tug of war for little people
The happy harvest dance by happy performers