 |
A Korean marathon hero is making a bid for a seat at the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) cross-country committee, according to media reports.
If successful, 1992 Olympic champion Hwang Young-jo would become a rare Korean presence in the international circle of athletics officials.
Park Jung-ki, an executive member of the IAAF, is the only Korean member of the global governing body for athletics.
The outcome of Hwang’s bid will be determined Wednesday, during the IAAF general assembly in Daegu ahead of the upcoming World Championships in Athletics. The more than 200 member countries of the IAAF will take part in the vote.
“It is time for Korea to take an active role in the IAAF administration,” Hwang said in a recent interview with a local sports daily. “It will contribute to closing the gap between us and advanced nations in athletics.”
The four-year post is filled by 10 members, and 30 experts are vying for a spot.
After an unforgettable victory at the Barcelona Games, Hwang has served as a marathon coach and earned a Ph.D. from Korea University. He also won the 1994 Asian Games and retired after an injury prevented him from representing Korea at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
He serves as a technical specialist for the Korea Association of Athletics Federation (KAAF).
The athlete is fondly referred to as the “hero of Montjuic” by many Koreans.
The 41-year-old was mentored and coached by Korea’s first Olympic champion, Sohn Kee-chung, the 1936 marathon winner at the Berlin Games.
A native of Gangwon Province, Hwang runs a multi-lingual website at www.youngjo.net.
![[VIDEO] Bustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3810ec90e75b4ce7ae8657f4cabacd6e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[PHOTOS] Decisive moments of Team Korea at Asian Games](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/asian_game_0005_2eafd6b0a3e01.JPG/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/278f7bca54f944b9a569bd074327669b.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] It is premature to revise ROK-US mutual defense treaty: veterans' group head](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8c502577285b479ea715ceccadaf8935.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/5e1f02ba859b44428a31a10c6ec2a2ea.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/83a5770de8d8420da3634fb8b78266c1.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
