Whang Youn-dai gives the welcome speech during a reception held at Korea House at the Gangneung Olympic Park on March 16. Whang presents the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award, part of the official Closing Ceremony at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
By Korea.net PyeongChang Special Report Team
Photos = Kim Sunjoo
Gangneung | March 16, 2018
There is a special award that is given out at the Paralympic Games.
The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award was established after Whang Youn-dai herself donated the prize money she received during the 1988 Summer Paralympics to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). She is the first Korean female doctor with an impairment and she has contributed greatly to protect the rights of the disabled throughout her career.
At every Paralympic Games, the award is given to one female and one male athlete who best exemplifies the drive to overcome their disability and a spirit of facing one’s challenges, regardless of nationality or medal standing. This year, the award goes to alpine skier Adam Hall of New Zealand and to cross-country and biathlon skier Sini Pyy from Finland.
Whang herself attended a reception, held at Korea House in the Gangneung Olympic Park on March 16. She said, “The award started in Korea and now I present the award in Korea for the first time after 30 years. I see many disabled athletes take an active part in society and create their own way of life, and they have a positive influence on many people. It reminds me of the small seed I sowed 30 years ago.”
While congratulating this year’s winners, Whang asked them to “take the lead in your country to create a social structure in which the disabled can show their true abilities.”
Cross-country and biathlon skier Sini Pyy of Finland, winner of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award at the PyeongChang Paralympic Games, speaks during an interview.
This year’s winner Sini Pyy said, “I’ve just begun to understand what it means to be a Paralympic athlete. It’s such an honor. I will work hard in Finland and across international society so that other Paralympic athletes will not experience any of the difficulties I have gone through to come this far.”
Earlier winners also attended the event.
Paralympic coach Colette Bourgoje of Canada, winner of the award at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games, said, “Winning the award was the opportunity for me to think of how I can contribute to the development of para sports,” while celebrating the winners this year.
Former Paralympic swimmer David Lega, winner of the award at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, said, “The award gave me courage, inspiration and the platform to start a new life after retirement.” He is now the deputy mayor of Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden.
kgh89@korea.kr
