Chairman Lee Ki-heung"The reason for exceeding the medal goal in Paris is that the team work X atmosphere...No one knows how far we'll go."
Aug 02, 2024
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Lee Ki-heung, chairman of the Korea Sports Council, responded to the question of raising the medal goal at the event 'Korea Day' held at the Maison de la Simi Korea House in Paris, France on the 2nd (Korea time).
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the Korean Olympic Committee set a goal of 5-6 gold medals and 15th overall. However, six gold medals (Archery 2, Fencing 2, Shooting 2), three silver medals, and three bronze medals came out within a week of the opening, naturally raising the target. In particular, shooting, which was a 'dark horse' event, won two gold medals and two silver medals, making it the most beneficial event at the Paris Olympics. Expectations for double-digit gold medals, which far exceed the original target, are also growing, along with the prospect that additional gold medals are likely to be won in shooting, archery, and taekwondo.
Meeting at Korea House on the day, Chairman Lee immediately responded to the public's criticism that he had set his gold medal goal too conservatively. "I've participated in seven Summer Olympics, but Olympic medals are really hard to predict accurately. I can't tell. We set the goal conservatively, but we set the goal according to objective data." `Didn't foreign media and experts such as Sports Illustrated and Rounding also expect about five gold medals from South Korea? We won five gold medals based on objective data.'
Chairman Lee cited teamwork and atmosphere as the reason why he exceeded his gold medal goal. "Last year, the culture of 'One Team Korea' was created as athletes and leaders in each sport of Jincheon Training Center became closer and closer to each other through Marine Corps training and others." In addition, it seems that the players have achieved more than their goals by doing what they have to do on their own amid the crisis of elite sports" is an explanation. Then "The Korean Sports Council also focused only on support rather than regulation. We tried to create an atmosphere in which players or leaders can solve anything they need right away." "With serving leadership, he gave freedom and autonomy instead of regulation. Since our players are more professional than us, we have respected them, made them feel comfortable, and allowed them to focus only on training. I played a role in preventing outside interference and fending off"Fontainebleau Pre-Camp and Korea House in Paris play a role in promoting overseas as well as raising the pride of the Korean team." Our athletes are proudly participating in the Paris Olympics with pride in Team Korea.
As for the Korean team's target upgrade, which won six gold medals in the opening week, Lee said, `We cannot revise it. It's unpredictable.' "Unplanned scenarios are being created. As much as possible, I don't know anything but the best at every moment until the moment it ends. `One-team Korea's teamwork was expressed and motivated to do it in a sense of crisis,' he said."No one knows how far it will go. I think I will get better results than I expected," he added.
I ordered the best of Team Korea's squad for the rest of the year. "Let's do our best. Life is a moment. Moments come together to be today, tomorrow, a year, and my life.The moment is eternity. If I do my best every moment, my life becomes faithful. There is no need to be entangled in good and bad. What I have built up to the best is the outcome of my life. "We, as national representatives, benefit greatly from society. It is a natural duty to return joy to the people as best as possible at the Olympics. You can do your role and responsibility for yourself and for society."
Asked about the most impressive game he had seen at the Paris Olympics, Lee said, `It's all impressive and all drama, but it's a pity to see the athletes falling.' "I am emphasizing to the head of the team to take good care of the players who are not achieving their goals and encourage them." I came to the Olympics as a member of the national team, but I shouldn't go empty-handed when I go home. It's small enough to buy a gift for my family, but I'm giving them encouragement money." "The achievement of a medal is important, but I want you to see the process. I hope you think that the process is more important," he added.
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Paris = Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com
sky4us@sportschosun.com
