Homework left by the success of the Paris Paralympic Games, generational change and medal-able events are expanded through discovery of rookies

Sep 11, 2024

"I also left a clear homework for what I need to prepare for the future."

Korea's Paralympic Games could be held in 2024 through the Paris Paralympics' gained confidence. South Korea, which ranked 41st overall (2 gold, 10 silver, 12 bronze) at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, was able to exceed its original goal by showing superior skills in three years.

Originally, the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled had set a goal of '5 gold medals, 20th place in the overall ranking' ahead of the Paris Paralympic Games. The gold medal target was over 120 percent. He won a total of six gold medals, including three in shooting, two in table tennis and one in Boccia. The silver and bronze medals were 10 and 14, respectively. The overall ranking was 22nd, slightly below the target, but it rose 19 places from the Tokyo Games (41st).

The key factor in this achievement is the intensive investment and efficient support policy of the Korean Sports Association for the Disabled.However, we can't just be happy about the outcome of this tournament.

Upon confirmation that sports for the disabled in Korea has taken a step forward, 'We need to go further from herefor he also had an epiphany of ' It's like the reason you don't know well when you're in a well, but the moment you come out of the well, you realize that the wider world is spread out.

This is deeply sympathized by most key officials who watched the Paralympics in Paris, including Chung Jin-wan, president of the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled.

Chairman Chung also emphasized this at a settlement press conference held at the main press center at the Paris site on the night of the 9th (Korea time). "I also left a clear homework for what I need to prepare for the future. We will prepare step by step from now on."

Chairman Chung mentioned 'Clear Homework' is to select new prospects to lead a generational change for the national team and to expand the events that can win medals.

Ultimately, these two assignments are mutually related values. This is because the selection and strategic development of prospects across various events can ultimately lead to an increase in the possibility of medals in the event.

A total of 83 athletes participated in the Paris Paralympics in 17 sports, the most ever. However, medals came from only six sports (shooting, table tennis, badminton, taekwondo, fencing, and boccia). Athletes who competed in other events also did their best, but failed to reach the medal table.

In particular, Kim Ok-geum (64) of archery and Jo Gi-seong (38) of swimming missed the medal by a very narrow margin, causing regret among viewers. Both players made this Paralympics their last stage, so they have to fill in their new faces. Chairman Chung Jin-wan said, `In the run-up to this competition, canoeing and triathlon did not even have a federation. In the future, we will strive to ensure that disabled people can perform well in various sports."

Park Jong-chul, head of the Icheon Paralympic Village and general manager of the Korean team for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, answers reporters' questions at a press conference on the settlement of accounts at the Paris Paralympic Games on the night of the 8th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Park Jong-chul, president of Icheon Paralympic Village and general manager of the Paris Paralympic Games, is also considering the same issue. Chief Park said, `Basic sports such as swimming and fostering are losing competitiveness. To improve this, research services are also in progress,' he said, stressing that he will focus on finding solutions to natural generational changes and strengthen competitiveness in each category. Thanks to his achievements in Paris, a new edition was created. The outcome of the next Paralympics depends on how many more sprouts are grown in this edition. Attention is focusing on whether Korean sports for the disabled will be able to take another step forward at the LA Paralympics four years later.

wman@sportschosun.com