Athletes and staff of Team Korea pose for a photo during the team’s official launch ceremony on June 25 as they head off for the Gwangju Summer Universiade 2015.
The team of Korean athletes heading to the Gwangju Summer Universiade 2015 held its official launch ceremony on June 25 at the Olympic Park in Seoul. It vowed to put on a good performance, with the goal of ranking somewhere in the top three national teams.
Leader of Team Korea, You Byong-jin (right), waves the Korean flag to show the firm will the team has to place in the top three spots at the Gwangju Summer Universiade 2015.
Ceremony participants included Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Chong, Korean Olympic Committee President Kim Jung-haeng and about 450 athletes and staff, including the leader of the team, You Byong-jin. They all showed their strong will to repay the warm support they received from the country by putting on a great performance.
You said, “The members of Team Korea have gathered here to strengthen our determination to win and to demonstrate our strong will to fight well. We are responsible for achieving a remarkable outcome and will do so with pride, as the games are being held on our home turf.”
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Chong delivers words of encouragement during the Team Korea launch ceremony on June 25, encouraging all the athletes to fight well in the upcoming games.
Korean archer Ki Bo-bae (left) and badminton player Lee Yong-dae take the oath on behalf of the male and female athletes during the Team Korea launch ceremony.
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Chong said, “The upcoming games will provide a good opportunity for athletes to test their capabilities and possibilities ahead of the Rio Olympics 2016. I hope you fully display our capability and gather precious experience as all of you have made a lot of effort.”
”The Korean government aims to successfully host the games and make the country known as a country that has overcome the MERS outbreak,” said the vice minister.
The Gwangju Summer Universiade 2015 will be held from July 3 to 14. Approximately 14,000 athletes from about 150 countries will participate in the games. Korea is sending the largest-ever Team Korea to the games, with 516 athletes and staff who will participate in 21 sport disciplines. Team Korea aims to finish somewhere in the top three by winning more than 25 gold medals.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Jeon So-hyang, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
arete@korea.kr
