Why the Korean team was doubly happy with the surprise gift of the captain of the team

Sep 08, 2024

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

"The Paralympics is a great asset for mankind"

The South Korean team participating in the 2024 Paris Paralympics was once again touched by the surprise gift from Bae Dong-hyun, the head of the team. It was a gift that culminated in 'shock support' throughout the tournament.

The Korean Sports Association for the Disabled held a team night event at the dock in the 8th district of Paris, France on the night of the 7th (local time). It was a time for athletes, leaders, and officials to relieve their fatigue and cheer for each other while watching the night view of Paris on a cruise ship. 120 athletes and leaders who finished the tournament's schedule, Chung Jin-wan, president of the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled, Bae Dong-hyun, vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, Jang Mi-ran, and the National Assembly delegation attended.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

Chairman Chung Jin-wan said in his welcoming speech, `I sincerely thank the athletes for preparing and training and coming to Paris to show good performance. Next year, I will do my best to make the best training environment for our players by filling up the gaps"I hope that we will forget all the feelings of anger, pain, and sadness and return to Korea and start over with a new mind."

Participants enjoyed a onboard dinner on a cruise ship, viewing major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Anvalid Square, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre located around the Seine River in Paris. Each time they passed each landmark, the athletes took commemorative photos with their colleagues and leaders, leaving memories of the Paris Paralympics.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

Vice Minister Jang said, `Even though a lot of attention was focused, the team overcame the burden and finished the game well. I would like to thank not only the athletes, but also the leaders, families, school meal support team, and sports association staff for their efforts out of sight"The culture department will also support and help you with your training. I passed the moments when I secretly shed tears and came to this moment, and I hope you have a good time."

In particular, Bae Dong-hyun, the head of the team, impressed the players on the spot by revealing the gifts he had prepared in advance. He said he would give the pure gold medal he promised to everyone in the team.

Originally, Bae promised to give 20 won worth of pure gold medals to all winners regardless of their medal color to boost the team's morale at the Paralympic team's decision ceremony held at the Olympic Parktel in Seoul on August 12. The players were overjoyed.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

However, in Paris, Bae announced that he had further upgraded his promise at the time. At the event, all 83 athletes and 17 leaders who took the Paralympic stage, regardless of whether they won a prize or not, would be given a pure gold medal. Even Bae had already prepared this 'pure gold medal' before the competition and airlifted it to Paris. An official from the Korea Sports Association for the Disabled said "I heard that they have reported and resolved all customs declaration issues necessary for entering and leaving the airport. The procedure and cost must have been expensive, but the general manager Bae took care of everything one by one, he said with emotion.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

The solid gold medal will be delivered at the ceremony to be held at Incheon International Airport on the 10th. Coaching and support staff who have worked hard with players and leaders will also receive tablet PC Galaxy Tab.

"It was a short time, but I got a lot of affection with the team," said Bae Dong-hyun. It was an honor and a pleasure to be with the national team players," he said, and refrained from crying due to emotion for a while. Then "Thanks to physical education for the disabled, I and my family are living a valuable life. I think the Paralympics is not just a sport, but a great asset for mankind."

wman@sportschosun.com