Korean team vows to finish in top 10 at Rio

Prime Minister Hwnag Kyo-ahn, seventh from left in the front row, makes the heart shape with his fingers as he poses for a photo with the Korean Olympic team at the Olympic Hall in southern Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Baek Byung-yeul

The Korean delegation to the 2016 Summer Olympics gathered together, Tuesday, before departing for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and declared their full readiness.

“This year’s Summer Olympics takes place in South America for the first time in Olympic history. Though we are not fully satisfied with the conditions surrounding the hosting city, we will do our best to be placed in the top 10 by the gold medal count,” Chung Mong-gyu, head of the Korean delegation to the Rio Olympics said at the Olympic Hall in southern Seoul.

For the Rio Olympics, which run from Aug. 5 to 21, Korea is sending 330 delegation members, including 204 athletes, the smallest number since the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

“For South America’s first Olympics, the Korean athletes and officials are set to depart for Brazil. It will be a difficult challenge for them as they have to cope with more than 20 hours of flight time and a time difference of 12 hours. But I wish their sweat and toil will bear rich fruit,” said Kim Jung-haeng, president of the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC). Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok also attended the ceremony.

The Korean athletes displayed their strong determination and ambition for the Olympics.

“This will be my third Olympics. As it might be my last one, I prepared a lot, more than ever before,” said badminton player Lee Yong-dae.

Appearing in the two previous Olympics, Lee claimed a gold medal in the mixed doubles in 2008 and a bronze medal in the men’s doubles in 2012.

“My goal is to win a gold medal in the men’s doubles as we haven’t won a gold medal in the event yet,” Lee added.

Archer Ki Bo-bae said she will do all she can to see the best results.

“It is true that I feel pressure from the people’s high expectations of me, but I will do my best there,” she said, adding that her biggest rival is herself.

She aims to defend her title in the women’s individual event ― for the second consecutive time ― and for the women’s team competition.

Judoka An Chang-rim, 22, said he feels no pressure and that he is confident he can win a gold medal if he maintains his routine.

“I don’t feel any pressure. I can win a gold medal at the Rio Olympics if I keep to my routine. I will do my best work up to the last minute,” An said.

The world’s No.1 in men’s 73-kilogram judo was born to second-generation Japanese-Korean parents in Kyoto. He rejected an offer to join the Japanese national team.

“After I became a member of the Korean national team, I had the worst time as I couldn’t catch up with the training sessions. I think the Korean judo team has the hardest training routine in the world,” An said.

Fencer Gu named flag bearer

Prior to the ceremony, the KOC named fencer Gu Bon-gil as Korea’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics.

The KOC said Ku will carry the national flag at the Rio Olympics opening ceremony at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5.

The world No. 4 in the men’s sabre was a member of the gold medal-winning men’s sabre team at the 2012 London Games.

Shooter Jin Jong-oh, who bagged three gold medals in the past two Olympic Games, has been named as the captain for the male athletes while handball player Oh Yong-ran will lead the female athletes.