President Park To Host a Luncheon For South Korean Olympic Athletes
South Korea President Park Geun-hye will host a luncheon for South Korean Olympic athletes that represented the country in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The gathering will be held on Thursday at the presidential office together with 310 athletes and sports officials including the gold medalist shooter Jin Jong-oh, rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae and Olympic golf champion Park In-bee. According to the president's office, Cheong Wa Dae, it is her appreciation and gratitude for the athletes' hard work during the competition.
The list of the guests also includes Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) President Kang Young-joong, Ryu Seung-min, the new member of the International Olympic Committee and Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok.
South Korea was represented by 333 athletes and officials in 24 of the 28 sports in the Rio Olympic Games from August 5-21. The country bagged 9 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 9 bronze medals and finished 8th place in the overall ranking among 206 countries that competed in Brazil.
South Korea first participated at the Olympic Games in 1948, and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except for 1980 which they boycotted. South Korea has also participated in every Winter Olympic Games since 1948, except for the 1952 Games.
Furthermore, the country of the morning calm won its first medals as an independent nation at its first appearance in 1948, and won its first gold medal in 1976. South Korean athletes have won a total of 243 medals at the Summer Games, with the most gold medals won in archery, and 53 medals at the Winter Games, a majority in short track speed skating.
The South Korean Athletes not only bring victory after their competition at Rio, but they also bring the pride and glory of their country, South Korea.
