Korean 'Golden Age' Swimmers Depart to Paris
Jul 16, 2024
|
The South Korean swimming team, which is trying to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, left for Paris on the morning of the 16th.
The faces of Hwang Sun-woo, Kim Woo-min, Kim Seo-young, Lee Ho-joon and Lee Ju-ho, who met at the departure hall of Incheon International Airport in the early morning, were bright. On the 27th, the day after the opening of the Paris Olympics, Kim Woo-min (Gangwon Provincial Government) who will compete in the first swimming event of the Republic of Korea said, `I am confident, excited, and I can't wait to play the game," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "If we get off to a good start on the first day, it will be a great help to the Korean team as well." I'll play the first game well.' As a golden generation of spirit, Kim Woo-min said, "Third place and second place are good, but it was my dream since I was young to go up to the highest level on the Olympic stage." and aimed directly at the goal of the gold medal. "I want to stand at the highest point of the podium." was also clearly stated.
Park Tae-hwan, who is in charge of the SBS swimming commentary for this competition, expressed his expectation for Kim Woo-min's rise over the past three years in the 400-meter freestyle. In response, Kim Woo-min "Thank you for always showing interest and support to our seniors who won the Olympic gold medal. I want to be an Olympic medalist in Paris", he made it clear that he would continue the golden vein.
With Germany's Lucas Martens recording a time of 3:40.33 at the German Swimming Championships in April, the recent swimming media predicted Kim Woo-min's bronze medal in the event. In response to this, Kim Woo-min "In the Olympic stage, records are important, but priority comes before records. It is determined by local conditions. I will do my best and bring good results."
Kim Woo-min has secured five competitions, including the 400m freestyle, the 200m freestyle, the 800m freestyle, the 800m relay, and the open water with Hwang Sun-woo, but decided not to participate in the open water event. Kim Woo-min, who showed off his "golden bromance" by winning the gold medal alongside his best friend Hwang Sun-woo at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and the Doha World Championships this year, said, "I want to win a medal with Sun-woo again this time. We talked a lot about each other and sang about the dream of a medal together.
|
|
The biggest dream and goal of the swimming golden generation, represented by Hwang Sun-woo and Kim Woo-min, is the first medal in the 800m relay. It is an event in the world swimming community that Asia's Republic of Korea, which used to be a periphery of swimming, has challenged the Olympic team medal, the symbol of a swimming powerhouse. Hwang Sun-woo added "We didn't know the day would come when we would challenge for a team medal" and "It's an honor and pleasure to have the possibility open, not a dream, to have a generation to go to the podium, and to have us in that generation" "I don't miss this opportunity to come again, and I want to prepare well until the end and get on the podium with our members." Kim Woo-min also said, `All six members of the relay preliminary final to Paris have trained well and are in good condition. If you adapt well to the local area and work well together, your first dream of a relay medal will come true."
sky4us@sportschosun.com
