Olympians thank moms for strong support
Gymnast Yang Hak-seok, second from left, taekwondo practitioner Kim So-hee, fourth from left, and fencer Gu Bon-gil, right, pose with their mothers after attaching red carnations to their mothers’ chests during the “Thank You Mom” ad campaign for the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
Athletes competing at the Olympics may believe that they have overcome a slew of hardships by themselves. But one thing they should remember is that there has always been great support from their mothers who have backed them all along.
“It wouldn’t be possible for me to compete in the Olympics without my mother and father’s support,” Korean gymnastics star Yang Hak-seok said.
The London Olympic gold medalist and his mother Ki Suk-hyang have been appointed honorary ambassadors of a “Thank You, Mom” campaign along with taekwondo practitioner Kim So-hee and her mother Park Hyeon-sook, and London Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Gu Bon-gil and his mother Shin Tae-bok.
In a bid to support Korean Olympians at the Rio de Janeiro, the six will carry on various kinds of campaigns during the Summer Olympics from Aug. 5 to 21. The campaign is backed by Procter and Gamble (P&G) Korea and the Korean Sport Olympic Committee.
“As a mother of an athlete, it was a series of heartbreaking moments while raising him because there was nothing that I could do but watch,” said Yang’s mother.
Yang never gave up hope of participation in Rio
Gymnast Yang, who injured his Achilles tendon six weeks ago, said he still hopes to take part in Rio Olympics.
“I have been focusing on my rehab. I could go to more than 10 different hospitals and I would probably hear the same prognosis that I won’t be able to compete in Rio. But I am trying my best as much as possible,” Yang said.
The 23-year-old received surgery a day after he injured his right foot while training at the National Training Center in Seoul, March 22. Due to the abrupt injury, Yang had to miss the first local qualifying trials to draft an Olympic squad in gymnastics.
“I am not sure whether I can compete in the second trials, which will take place on May 20,” Yang said.
Even if he misses these, he still holds a chance to compete in the Rio Games if the Korea Gymnastic Association grants him a spot based on his proven track record.