Global archery chief hails 'fantastic' world championships hosted by Korea
Greg Easton, president of World Archery, poses for photos after an interview during the World Archery Championships at the May 18 Democracy Plaza in Gwangju, Jeolla Province, Friday. Yonhap
Greg Easton, new president of World Archery, said Friday the Korean host city of Gwangju has done a "fantastic" job organizing the ongoing world championships, adding the sport's global governing body would love to return for more international events.
Easton was elected president of World Archery in Gwangju, Jeolla Province, during the 56th World Archery Congress on Sept. 3, held two days before the start of the World Archery Championships.
Speaking to local media Friday, the final day of the competition, Easton praised the work of the local organizers and the passion of archery fans in Gwangju.
"The competition has been fantastic, very well organized by the organizing committee here," Easton said. "The feeling in the city, the passion, the heartbeat of the sport here, you can really feel it. It helps us understand how much sport can bring us together."
When asked if he has identified any area of improvement, Easton responded, "I would say no."
"The execution of the event has been excellent. The committee is very experienced. We have some wonderful facilities, where we have both the practice field and the qualification venue," Easton said. "I spoke with many athletes and they were very pleased about the organization of the event."
Easton also noted the symbolic significance of holding final round matches at the May 18 Democracy Plaza in the heart of old Gwangju downtown. The plaza was built in commemoration of the pro-democracy uprising in 1980, and is situated right next to Jeonil Building 245, which absorbed hundreds of rounds of shots fired by a military chopper after civilians took shelter there during their protest against a junta 45 years ago.
"It's an honor to be here, with the building across the street and learning about what's happened here," the American executive said. "It's a good place to have this to help make that connection between peace in our countries and sport."
Gwangju, which has also hosted an Archery World Cup event, is "a city we'd love to come back to" for more international events, Easton added.
"The heartbeat of the city here, how much you love the sport, the excellence in the organization and the support both from the city and the local organizing committee and the local archery federation ... we'd welcome the opportunity to come back," Easton said.