In fact, Korean athletes' stellar performances were being prepared silently in the dark. Chung Kang-seon, 54, head of the Korean national team, spearheaded the effort even before the opening of the Olympic Games. Since he entered Paris with the team last month, he has thoroughly taken care of the athletes' daily lives, training and games.
I had a telephone interview with Jung, the "hidden tall man," on the 5th (Korea time). "As Oh Sang-wook won his first gold medal in fencing, the atmosphere of the team has revived and gained momentum," he said with an excited voice. "My face got tanned because I was looking for players all over the stadium."
Propaganda? "Local pre-camp for the first time in 12 years"
Jung cited the first pre-Olympic camp in Paris in 12 years as the key to the Korean team's strong performance.
"We rented the entire facility of a French military sports unit near Paris from two years ago," general manager Chung said. "We decorated it as a space where the players could complete their warm-ups locally."
During the Olympics, athletes from various countries will stay and prepare for the games. "In the athletes' village, several countries jointly use training facilities on an hourly basis, but only we can use them in the pre-camp," Chung said. "We can elevate our players' conditions to the highest level while avoiding exposing their strategies."
Pre-camp was also set up in London for the 2012 Olympics, when Korea had the best record ever. At that time, Korea ranked fifth overall with 13 gold medals. "We also had camp in London, which was our best performance in away games," Chung said. "The pre-camp was held in 12 years, and the players were able to fully warm up."
So that the players can focus on the game...an hour's meeting every morning
My daily routine in Paris starts at 9 a.m. every day by checking the condition and encouraging the players and leaders. I chair various meetings and look into pending issues in all departments, including the situation room of the team, the training department, the infirmary, the public relations office, and the international affairs department. I come to the stadium where our team's games are played, and cheer for them while sitting in the stands. After monitoring the interviews with players after the game ends, I return to my accommodation after midnight every day.
Every morning, staff meetings pour out action plans to help players maintain their best condition. "Always from a player's point of view, players come first" is Chung's iron rule. This is where the countermeasures came in response to concerns raised at the beginning of the competition, including accommodation in athletes' village without air conditioning, poor diet and sauna buses.
"In preparation for the heat wave, 89 air conditioners for rooms were provided at the athletes' village accommodation, and additional mobile air conditioners were provided to support it," general manager Chung said. "We also prepared blankets in case the temperature drops due to rainfall."
The team has also addressed concerns over poor low-carbon meals served at athletes' restaurants. "We are providing high-quality Korean food through the 'Team Korea Paris Platform,' which serves as a meal support center," Chung said. "We provide 150 servings of lunch boxes to athletes twice a day at the request of athletes."
"A player always comes first...Commitment to the end"
They cheer for the team more than anyone else at the stadium. Notably, they shouted for the Republic of Korea so that Korean archers would not be intimidated by overwhelming cheering of their home fans at Anvalide in the final of the men's team archery competition against France, the host country.
At the athletes' village, they refrain from greeting athletes even if they accidentally encounter them. "Even if my performance is good, I usually don't visit because I'm afraid if I suddenly visit, I'll have trouble with the next game," Chung said. "Even when I accidentally encounter a player in the hallway, I just send him a greeting with my eyes to maintain my concentration."
Currently, the Korean national team is aiming for the most gold medals ever. When asked how many additional medals they are expecting, Chung declined to give an answer considering the players. "In internal meetings, we decided not to disclose the goal of additional medals to the media. Higher expectations could affect athletes," Chung said.
However, he did not hide his expectations for a medal during the rest of the Olympics.
"I'm looking forward to about a gold medal in taekwondo," said Jung, pointing to Park Tae-joon of the ▷58kg class, Seo Kun-woo of the ▷ 80kg class, and Lee Da-bin of the women's 67kg class. "Park Hye-jung of the weights is also looking forward to a silver medal, and Woo Sang-hyuk of the high jump is also likely to win a medal," he said.
"Athletes, who have won medals, those who have not won medals, and those who have been shunned due to unpopularity are all proud of our national team. I am proud of you all who carry the Korean flag, and you are wonderful. I will always devote myself to the sport under the motto of 'Player First' so that the athletes can focus only on the competition."
BY: 토토사이트 모음