'Drum Up Support for
Korean Olympic Squad'

KOC President Lee solicits public concern and support for Korean athletes


The 2008 Beijing Olympics is the second Olympics as Lee Yeon-taek, president of the Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) and currently chairman of the Korea Sports Council, will participate following the 2004 Athens Olympics. The following are excerpts of a written interview by Lee, the 26th KOC president, who expresses his feelings and resolutions for making Korean's Olympic contingent get better results -- Ed.
A: I not only have the honor to participate in the Olympics as the KSC chairman and KOC president for the second time, but I also feel a heavy responsibility.
Question: Will you tell us about the current status of the Korean athletic contingent to be dispatched to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and steps to help Korean athletes get better results?
Answer: The Korean Olympic squad will be composed of 390 athletes in 25 sports, and I believe that they will do their best to realize the goal of being among the top-10 nations in the medal count.
I believe that chances are high that Korea will make it to the top-10 medal tally, even if it hinges on such factors as athletes'health conditions and injuries.
Even though Beijing, the venue of the 2008 Olympics, has a similar environment as our country, several unfavorable factors such as a hot and humid climate and air pollution are factored into the training of our athletes. We are making concerted efforts with the Korean National Training Center in Taeneung, sports organizations and leaders of each sport to achieve our best possible results.
KSC is considering providing economic support, including an increase in cash prizes to shore up the morale of leaders and athletes.
Q: In what sports do you expect Korea to win goal medals?
A: We expect the Korean contingent to win two to three gold medals in archery, two in taekwondo, one each in weightlifting as well as judo, wresting, badminton and shooting. We also expect good achievements in fencing, table tennis, hockey and handball where Korean athletes show signs of improvement.
Q: I heard that public concern is sagging for the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Why is that?
A: People's concern and encouragement is closely related to the morale of the athletes. When I visited the Korean National Training Center in Taeneung several times after my inauguration as the KSC chairman and KOC president, I sensed that the athletes'morale appeared to be lower compared to the Athens Olympics. I'm afraid that public concern over the Beijing Olympics may have dwindled due to political and social issues and organizations and corporations'support for the athletes training at the national training center has declined. I understand that if people show more concern and encouragement for athletes, they will repay it with their best efforts.
Q: As the General Assembly of the IOC will coincide with the Beijing Olympics, each country is expected to seize opportunities to publicize its sports activities and be engaged in sports diplomacy. How are you preparing for it?
A: All members of the Korean contingent will work as civilian diplomats during the Olympic period. The Olympics have already served as opportunities to publicize each country and channels to promote culture and friendly exchanges. Whenever the Korean team wins a medal, it will raise national competitiveness and contribute to publicizing Korea.
KOC will run the Korea House in Beijing, which will serve as a window to provide support to the Korean team. Publicity booths will also be installed there and diverse events will be held to promote Korea. nw

Korea Olympic Committee President Lee Yeon-taek