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Korean athletes's strong spirit shown in Rio Olympics

Posted August. 22, 2016 07:07,   

Updated August. 22, 2016 07:16

한국어

The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics comes to an end this morning. Korea has won nine gold medals, three silver medals, and nine bronze medals, slightly less than its goal of 10 gold medals, but will probably take the eighth place in the overall score ranking, which is higher than what most predicted.

Golf Empress Park In-bee (28) has won the gold medal, showing the world that Korean golf is the best. In this Olympics, golf has been readopted as a competitive sport for the first time in 112 years. Since she was not doing well in this season due to her injury, many criticized that she did not wield the chance to participate in the Olympics to younger golfers. However, Park responded to those criticisms with the gold medal. "I want to do is I want to show all the people how hard I've worked. Now I feel as if I do not have any energy left," said Park with her gold medal around her neck.

Son Yeon-jae (23) failed to win a bronze medal, finishing the individual all-around in rhythmic gymnastics in the fourth place. However, the young gymnast did not seem intimidated or frustrated by the result. "If I were to grade my performance, I would give myself a perfect score," she said. "Even though I am not a medalist, I can still be proud of myself for gradually improving myself through constant efforts." Maybe she went all the way to the Olympics because she wanted to live up to the expectations, not because she wanted to. I would also like to give her a perfect score for her efforts.

Épée fencer Park Sang-young (21) had been losing by 10-14 before he told himself, "I can do it." Winning five straight points from that moment, he made a dramatic reversal and defeated his opponent. When Taekwondo star Lee Dae-hoon (24) lost in the quarter-final, he accepted the result by saying, "I learned a lesson that will make me a better person." When he advanced to the third place match and won a bronze medal, he noted, "I am so happy that I can bring home this bronze medal that is as valuable as a gold medal to me." Shooter Jin Jong-oh (37), who won gold medals in three consecutive Olympics for the first time in Korea, remarked, "Telling me to retire is same as trying to take away my passion from me." He declared that he will participate in the Tokyo Olympics.

While China and Japan made remarkable results in basic sports events such as athletics, swimming, and gymnastics, Korea did not even pass the trials, suggesting that much improvement is needed. China won two gold medals in track and field and two in swimming, while Japan won two in swimming and two in gymnastics. Japan and China were also successful in the men's 400-meter relay by winning the second and the fourth places, respectively. Korea should strengthen the foundation of the basic sports by discovering and supporting talented athletes so that the nation can see much improved result in the following events.



송평인기자 pisong@donga.com