Moon Pledges to Promote Asia in IOC

New IOC member Moon Dae-sung talks to reporters at a news conference in Beijing, Friday. / Korea Times

By Sunny Lee
Korea Times Correspondent

BEIJING ― Moon Dae-sung, a gold medalist in men's taekwondo in the 2004 Summer Olympics, said Friday that he will represent the view of Asia in the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission.

In a news conference at the Korea House media center, he said he became his nation's second IOC member through support from athletes, coaches and staff.

The 32-year-old professor at Donga University in Busan is the first Asian to be named to the commission, and said, `` I will do my best to represent Korea in the IOC for the next eight years.''

``I will work hard not just for me, but also for all Korean athletes and people who love sports in Korea. I will work hard for Korea's sports diplomacy abroad.''

He said he got up every day over the past 25 days at 5 a.m. From 6 a.m. he stood on the street at the Olympic Village, seeking other athletes' support for his commission membership. He happened to see one particular athlete who passed by in front of him. Moon took a picture with him and gave him promotional brochures. The athlete voted for him.

Not all of Moon's memories were positive, though. Some avoided him while others hit his hand away when he tried to shake hands. Some wiped their hands after shaking hands. He said he felt humiliated at times.

But he said it's important for him to forget all of this and carry on.

Moon said he will get to know other commission members better so that `` we work together better.''

He also urged support from South Korean media. ``It's important for us to work well with the IOC. The IOC pays close attention to media reports. Negative reports don't help,'' he said.

In his view, Europe and the United States are leading most global sports trends but he said he hopes to bridge the gap as an Asian athlete.

On what he thinks got him elected, he said, `` The spirit of challenge.'

Moon also said he hopes to do well and serve as a role model for other Korean athletes who want to advance to the international sports arena.

He also said he was determined to do his best even if he failed, saying this sustained him over the past 25 days. Korea Olympic Committee Chairman Lee Yeon-taek also stopped by daily to cheer for him.

boston.sunny@gmail.com

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