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By Kang Seung-wooUnder the theme “From London to London (1948-2012),” Korea is making a glorious return to the city where the country made its maiden Olympic appearance at the 2012 Summer Games.
The country that struggled with poverty after its liberation from Japan in 1945 participated in the 1948 edition, sending 52 athletes and 15 officials, and ranked 32nd out of 59 nations with two bronze medals, one each in weightlifting and boxing.
After 64 years, Korea, which has risen to Asia’s fourth-largest economy, is embarking on its Olympic journey to prove the nation is also an up-and-coming global sports heavyweight.
Its athletes have shown they are capable of competing at the highest level at the quadrennial sports event, finishing in the top 10 in six Summer Olympics.
Team Korea is seeking to post a top-10 finish for a third-straight time in the medal standings.
A 374-member contingent has been dispatched to London, comprised of 245 athletes from 22 sports and 129 officials, the smallest for a Summer Olympics since the 1984 Los Angeles Games, when it had 210 competitors.
Despite the number, Korea is expected to meet its goal of placing in the top 10.
“We will be able to win at least 10 gold medals for a top-10 finish,” Korean Olympic Committee President Park Yong-sung said.
With China a heavy favorite, the United States, Russia, Germany, Australia and host Great Britain are likely to compete for the top positions.
In order to meet its target, Korea will have to battle the likes of Ukraine, Italy, France and Japan.
The nation is expecting to take gold in sports it has previously dominated including archery, taekwondo, weightlifting and judo.
In addition, swimmer Park Tae-hwan will begin his title defense in the men’s 400-meter freestyle, while Yang Hak-seon will bid for the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold in gymnastics.
To help achieve its 10-10 goal, the KOC has set up a training camp for the first time at an Olympics on foreign soil at Brunel University.
Before leaving for London, Park Jong-kil, head of the National Training Center said: “More than anything else, athletes will be able to train with partners until the last minute of the competition day, staying match-fit. I believe the effect from the camp will be more than expected.”
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