Did you know Taiwan’s first Olympic medal was a silver in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics? CK Yang, or 楊傳廣, finished just behind his close friend and training partner, Rafer Johnson of the US. Their story is one of fierce competition and lifelong camaraderie, now told in the new documentary Decathlon: The CK Yang & Rafer Johnson Story. In this episode, we dive into this incredible tale with journalist Mike Chinoy and producer James Liu of Joint Pictures, sharing insights from their film and the enduring legacy of these two legendary athletes. Why did Johnson become a household name in the US while Yang is largely forgotten in Taiwan? Listen to the show to find out.

- Mike Chinoy shares how he became involved in the documentary project. [01:09]
- The filmmakers discuss their decision to use extensive animation to recreate key scenes. [07:25]
- Exploring Rafer Johnson's enduring reputation in the United States. [16:43]
- Insights into the unique friendship between Rafer Johnson and CK Yang. [22:35]
- Examining why CK Yang's legacy has faded in Taiwan over time. [28:00]
- Reflecting on the significance of this decathlon story in today’s world. [36:38]

Host: Kwangyin Liu, Managing Editor of CommonWealth Magazine
Guest: Mike Chinoy, former CNN Beijing bureau chief & James Liu, founder of Joint Pictures
Producer: Yayuan Chang, Weiru Wang

＊Read more about Taiwan's participation in the Olympic Games: https://english.cw.com.tw/
＊Share your thoughts: bill@cw.com.tw

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【Taiwanology Ep.41】Decathlon, Friendship, and Legacy: Rafer Johnson and CK Yang

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