Members of the Olympic team on April 17 show their uniforms to be worn at this year’s Paris Summer Olympics at the “One Team! One Dream!” event to mark the 100th day before the competition at Champion House of Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon-gun County, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. From left are diver Kim Su-ji, archer Lim Si-hyeon, fencer Oh Sang-uk and judoka Lee Joon-hwan. (Korean Sport & Olympic Committee)
By Yoon Seungjin
The national Olympic team has pledged to do its best 100 days before this year’s Paris Summer Olympics.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KOC) on April 17 held the event “One Team! One Dream!” to mark the 100th day before the competition at Champion House of Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon-gun County, Chungcheongbuk-do Province.
The team set a target of five to six gold medals and a top 15 finish in overall medal count.
Athletes like Hwang Sun-woo, Lim Si-hyeon and Oh Sang-uk pledged their commitment at the event. KOC President Lee Kee-heung also announced support measures for competitors to achieve their goals.
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist in weightlighting, gave a pep talk by saying, “You’ll have difficulties ahead, but I hope you’ll compete well by keeping your body and mind healthy as you have up to this point.”
Afterwards, the unveiling of the team’s uniforms displayed a jacket with a design inspired by sumukhwa (traditional ink-and-wash painting) showing the indigo color of the East Sea, black pants and red belt. Athletes will also receive daily uniforms and equipment.
Youngone Outdoor, an official partner of Team Korea, said the items had enhanced cooling, water-repelling and lightweight features to keep the athletes in top condition, with 16 of them made of recycled materials.
The event also featured a performance of the team’s pledge using the pennant from the London Summer Olympics in 1948. Made for Korea’s first Summer Olympics team formed before the launch of the Republic of Korea government, the item honors the dedication and fighting spirit of experienced athletes who wanted to promote Korea.
scf2979@korea.kr
