On 12 May, the Minister of the Executive Yuan's Sports Affairs Council, Tai Hsia-ling, presented the President of the International World Games Association (IWGA), Ron Froehlich, with Taiwan's highest award for sports.

'On behalf of the Sports Affairs Council, it is my pleasure to award our First Class Sports Medal to President Froehlich,' Minister Tai Hsia-ling said in her laudatory address during the award presentation.

'After winning the bid for The World Games 2009, we have accomplished what is expected of us, but we also encountered difficulties which President Froehlich always helped us to resolve - with his valuable experience and advise,' the Minister continued. 'He has dedicated much of his time and energy to assist the Kaohsiung Organizing Committee in its preparations for The World Games 2009. We honor his contributions and confer the First Class Sports Medal to President Froehlich.'