The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    IU says she was excited to share screen with Park Seo-joon in 'Dream'

  • 3

    BLACKPINK, TXT, Stray Kids: K-pop stars headline international music festivals

  • 5

    INTERVIEWForeign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry

  • 7

    College students turn to 1,000 won breakfast to beat inflation

  • 9

    Seventeen to drop new EP next month

  • 11

    Korean aesthetics, spirit live on at Gyeongbok Palace

  • 13

    Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won takes his business skills to next level with 'The Genius Paik'

  • 15

    Carmakers unveil latest models at Seoul Mobility Show

  • 17

    South Korea nominates new ambassador to US

  • 19

    SM Entertainment founder looks to future as company appoints new management

  • 2

    Children, pregnant women executed, tortured in North Korea: report

  • 4

    Korea to scrap customs form for travelers without dutiable goods

  • 6

    NewJeans, Apple join hands to bring immersive audio experience

  • 8

    Rare Joseon-era map returns home from Japan

  • 10

    Chun Woo-won apologizes to Gwangju victims, calls grandfather 'criminal'

  • 12

    Koreans warned against making inappropriate videos in Thailand

  • 14

    BTS Jimin breaks record for K-pop soloist with 'Face'

  • 16

    'Me': BLACKPINK's Jisoo off to smooth start as solo artist

  • 18

    Japanese top visitors to Korea in 2023 as tourism rebounds

  • 20

    Ambassador offers taste of Ghana to Korea

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Sports
Sat, April 1, 2023 | 22:39
2016 Rio Olympics
Rio Olympics were games of great humanity
Posted : 2016-08-22 16:33
Updated : 2016-08-22 18:57
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Jeffrey D. Jones

RIO DE JANEIRO ― The Rio Olympics have come to a close and a few observations about the games are worth some consideration.

The games were safe. They were not without incident such as the drunken vandalism by U.S. swimmers and a few minor brawls stemming from frustration in lines or access to venues. Most important, however, was the absence of major violence or acts of terrorism. The global attention generated by the Olympics provides the perfect stage for many hate groups to unleash their destruction of property and life. Not a single incident occurred during the Rio Games when so many were predicting it would happen.

Much credit for this goes to the Brazilian authorities for their diligence and incredible hard work. Police and military officials were highly visible throughout the event at every venue and road leading to a venue. Access was sometimes difficult, but the rules were uniformly, consistently, firmly and politely enforced.

It was clear also that advances in technology played a major role in security for the games. If we learn anything from the Brazilians as we prepare for the PyeongChang Games, I hope our organizing committee copies the playbook on security from the Rio Organizing Committee. How grateful the whole world should be for the diligence and competency of the Brazilian authorities in keeping the games safe.

The Olympic Games provide the chance to get a short glimpse of some very remarkable human achievements. This is apparent in the unbelievable athletic talent shown by all of the competitors ― medalists or not ― and in the technical support to put on the games. The broadcasting, judging, statistical management, etc. are simply incredible and not readily apparent when just watching the events on TV. Seeing the remarkable achievements of so many people required to put on an event like the Olympics was a thrilling experience.

Athletes bid farewell to Rio Olympics
2016-08-22 17:12

One of my personal favorites was Lee Dae-hoon, a taekwondo athlete who was expected to win a gold medal in his weight class. Lee lost to the ultimate gold medalist during his eighth round match but he was able to come back to win a bronze medal, itself a remarkable achievement. More unforgettable was his reaction after losing to his Jordanian competitor. Despite the agony of his defeat, he warmly cheered the victory of his competitor and in so doing won the hearts of the crowd in the arena and made them all fans of Korea and Lee. His sportsmanship and courage were truly inspirational. It reminded me that winning a medal is not everything. Lee is clearly a winner in life and his bronze medal is a bonus, but not his greatest achievement. The greatness of his humanity outweighs the value of any medal.

Having the privilege of living in the athletes' village was a remarkable experience itself. The collection of some of the tallest, fastest, strongest, most enduring human beings on Earth was just plain awesome. It was heartwarming to see the diversity and variety of greatness gathered in the village and despite the fierce competitive nature of these athletes, everyone was warm and charitable. It was truly wonderful to see the greatness of the human race.

Finally, the Brazilians were wonderful hosts and fans. At every event the Brazilian crowds were generous and amazingly friendly. They would cheer for the athletes irrespective of nationality. The thousands of volunteers were always helpful and I have to conclude that the all-around gold medal goes to the Brazilians for making everyone feel welcome and special. PyeongChang is next. I hope we can meet and exceed the generosity of Rio!


Jeffrey D. Jones has been with Kim & Chang since 1980 advising Korean, U.S. and European companies involved in and outside Korea. He has worked as a legal advisor for Team Korea at the Rio Olympics. Contact him at jdjones@kimchang.com




 
Top 10 Stories
1Chun Woo-won apologizes to Gwangju victims, calls grandfather 'criminal' Chun Woo-won apologizes to Gwangju victims, calls grandfather 'criminal'
2Koreans warned against making inappropriate videos in Thailand Koreans warned against making inappropriate videos in Thailand
3Ambassador offers taste of Ghana to Korea Ambassador offers taste of Ghana to Korea
4Gwangju's popular Alleyway restaurant resurrectsGwangju's popular Alleyway restaurant resurrects
5[INTERVIEW] North Korean defectors bear brunt of remittance scams INTERVIEWNorth Korean defectors bear brunt of remittance scams
6Korea ready to greet BIE inspection team Korea ready to greet BIE inspection team
7Yoon gov't disputes Japanese media's claims about summit Yoon gov't disputes Japanese media's claims about summit
8Gimpo airport to launch care service for dogs Gimpo airport to launch care service for dogs
9Regulators urge financial groups to minimize interest rate hikes Regulators urge financial groups to minimize interest rate hikes
10Mirae Asset, SK Telecom team up for security token businessMirae Asset, SK Telecom team up for security token business
Top 5 Entertainment News
1IU says she was excited to share screen with Park Seo-joon in 'Dream' IU says she was excited to share screen with Park Seo-joon in 'Dream'
2BLACKPINK, TXT, Stray Kids: K-pop stars headline international music festivalsBLACKPINK, TXT, Stray Kids: K-pop stars headline international music festivals
3[INTERVIEW] Foreign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry INTERVIEWForeign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry
4NewJeans, Apple join hands to bring immersive audio experience NewJeans, Apple join hands to bring immersive audio experience
5Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won takes his business skills to next level with 'The Genius Paik' Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won takes his business skills to next level with 'The Genius Paik'
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group