Chou Tai-ying, a 61-year-old coach, recently apologized for pressuring her students to participate in blood donation, which surfaced through allegations by a local politician.
Taiwan University Sports Coach Faces Backlash Over Blood Donation Controversy
Taiwan University Sports Coach Faces Backlash Over Blood Donation Controversy
A sports coach at National Taiwan Normal University has come under fire for allegedly coercing students into donating blood for research.
In a shocking controversy, a sports coach at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei, Taiwan, has apologized for allegedly pressuring students to donate blood for unspecified research projects. Chou Tai-ying, 61, stated her intentions were to support her team, which faced frequent injuries due to a lack of players. However, it has been reported that students were warned they would lose academic credits if they opted out of the blood donations.
The issue was highlighted by Taiwanese politician Chen Pei-yu in 2024, leading to an internal investigation revealing that blood samples had been collected from students since 2019, persisting until 2024 for various "research projects." Chou admitted to recruiting unqualified students for blood draws and expressed regret for her "reckless words and behaviour" that may have pressured them.
Professor Chen Hsueh-chih, who was involved in one of the research projects, also issued a public apology, acknowledging the unintended harm caused to the student athletes and their families. The investigation determined that students donated blood up to once a day, with samples often discarded due to improper collection methods.
Originally, Chen Pei-yu had reported that players were being required to provide up to three samples daily over 14 continuous days. The principal of NTNU, Wu Cheng-chi, also offered an apology, describing the university's failures in ethical oversight, and mentioned that institutional procedures would be closely reviewed.
Furthermore, Taiwan's deputy education minister announced that the case, along with Chou's and Chen's actions, would be examined, while considerations for revoking the coaching license of a women's football coach at NTNU are also being entertained, although the individual involved has not been identified.
The issue was highlighted by Taiwanese politician Chen Pei-yu in 2024, leading to an internal investigation revealing that blood samples had been collected from students since 2019, persisting until 2024 for various "research projects." Chou admitted to recruiting unqualified students for blood draws and expressed regret for her "reckless words and behaviour" that may have pressured them.
Professor Chen Hsueh-chih, who was involved in one of the research projects, also issued a public apology, acknowledging the unintended harm caused to the student athletes and their families. The investigation determined that students donated blood up to once a day, with samples often discarded due to improper collection methods.
Originally, Chen Pei-yu had reported that players were being required to provide up to three samples daily over 14 continuous days. The principal of NTNU, Wu Cheng-chi, also offered an apology, describing the university's failures in ethical oversight, and mentioned that institutional procedures would be closely reviewed.
Furthermore, Taiwan's deputy education minister announced that the case, along with Chou's and Chen's actions, would be examined, while considerations for revoking the coaching license of a women's football coach at NTNU are also being entertained, although the individual involved has not been identified.
