Park Jong-kil, the head of the National Training Center, speaks during a press conference at the center in Taeneung, northern Seoul, Wednesday. Forty-one athletes and coaching staff for 11 events including weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, third from left in front row, were present. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Kang Seung-woo

With just 30 days to go until the London Olympics, Team Korea is highly focused on the Summer Games.

The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) held a media day at the National Training Center in Taeneung, northern Seoul, Wednesday and athletes and coaching staff said that they are confident ahead of the Summer Games, scheduled to run from July 27 to Aug. 12.

“I have had more difficulties preparing for the London Olympics than before,” said weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, who topped the women’s over 75-kilogram class in world record-setting fashion in Beijing. The 28-year-old has recently recovered from a shoulder injury.

“Despite a tough situation, I will try my best (to repeat).”

Lee Yong-dae, a badminton mixed-doubles gold medallist, is shifting his hunt for the Olympic title to the men’s doubles, teaming up with Jung Jae-sung, with whom he crashed out in the opening round four years ago.

“We had high hopes of medal in Beijing, but were eliminated in the first round,” said Lee, ranked second in the men’s doubles world rankings.

“While analyzing the early exit and making up for the setback, we have put in solid performances, so I think we can win the gold medal.”

Those who settled for second place in the previous event are determined to stand on the highest spot of the podium.

“I can live up to growing gold-medal expectations toward me,” said judoka Wang Ki-chun, who made the 73-kilogram final at the last Olymics despite suffering a ribcage fracture in the quarterfinals.

“I have trained hard enough to grab a gold medal and you can look forward to my matches.”

Fencer Nam Hyun-hee in the women’s foil also said, “I have prepared for the London Olympics for four years. I do not have as much of a burden as in Beijing. I need to be confident about winning gold.”

For some athletes London will be their final Olympic appearance.

“Personally, I am full of confidence,” said Kim Kyoung-ah, a two-time Olympic table tennis bronze medalist.

“I want to wrap up my Olympic career in style. I will show a veteran’s strength.

Jung Ji-hyun, the 2004 Olympic champion in the men’s 60-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling, also said that he will strive to regain the title after eight years.

Korea, whose first Olympic appearance was at the London Games in 1948, has set its eyes on making the top 10 for a third straight time after claiming more than 10 titles in the gold-focused medal table.

In 2004, it finished ninth at Athens, Greece with nine golds, 12 silvers and nine bronzes while sitting in seventh in Beijing four years ago on the back of an all-time best of 13 golds, 10 silvers and eight bronzes.

Coaching staff was also resolute on the upcoming Games.

“The women’s hockey team has fallen in the final twice so far at the Olympics. We will try to bring a dramatic result from London,” said head coach Lim Heung-sin.

Table tennis head coach Yoo Nam-kyu said London will be the right place to dethrone heavyweight China.

“Although China is the world No. 1 in table tennis, I believe Korea can defeat it at least once out of 10 tries and this will be in London,” he said.