Lee: London Olympics prove Koreans can achieve anything

President Lee Myung-bak said Monday the London Olympics taught Koreans they can achieve anything if they work hard, stressing the country should rekindle its spirit and brace for new challenges amid global economic difficulties.

South Korea finished fifth in the medal standings at the London Olympics with 13 golds, tying its record for the most at a single Olympics and easily meeting its stated goal of finishing in the top-10 with at least 10 golds. The gold medals came from seven different sports.

"The country stood tall as the fifth-ranked sports powerhouse in the London Summer Olympics," Lee said during his biweekly radio address. "Through sports, we were convinced that we can make similar achievements in any other field depending on what we do."

Such brilliant performances from the Olympic athletes were a great morale booster for South Koreans amid the global economic crisis sparked by the eurozone debt crisis, Lee said.

"They gave us the courage to believe that there is nothing we cannot achieve as long as we are united, keep on working and face challenges head on," he said. "Although the Olympic torch has gone out and seasonal festivities are winding down, it is time again to ignite our spirit and brace for new challenges." (Yonhap)