2024-07-16 13:59:52
4,400 athletes from 182 countries compete for 549 gold medals in 22 sports
The South Korean team competing in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games (Paralympics) expressed their determination at a media day held at the Icheon Athletes’ Village in Gyeonggi Province on the 15th.
At the press conference held that day, 12 players including Korea Paralympic Committee President Jeong Jin-wan, Team Manager Bae Dong-hyeon, Head Coach Park Jong-cheol, and Kim Hee-jin (goalball) and Yoo Su-yeong (badminton) attended and announced their goals.
Additionally, through video and pictorials, the athletes were able to reveal for the first time the uniforms and award ceremonies they will wear at the opening ceremony and on the podium.
Chairman Jeong Jin-wan said, “I will do my best to promote the Republic of Korea by wearing nice clothes and achieving the best results in Paris.”
Team Manager Bae Dong-hyun said, “If the athletes participate in 17 events at the Paris Paralympics, it will be the largest number of events in Paralympic history,” and added, “We will do our best to support the athletes through pre-event camps and athlete village life so that they can achieve their goals in the best condition possible.”
Paris, France, which hosted the 1900 and 1924 Summer Olympics, will be hosting the Paralympics for the first time.
The Paris Paralympics will feature 4,400 athletes from 182 countries competing for 549 gold medals in 22 sports.
As of the 15th, 81 athletes from 16 events have been confirmed as participants in our country, and a final total of 170 athletes (83 athletes and 87 officials) from 17 events are expected to participate.
The team aimed to win at least five gold medals and enter the top 20 in the overall rankings.
The Korea Paralympic Committee will hold a pre-camp for 13 days from August 14 to 26, 14 days before the opening, at Maison de Handball in Creteil, southeastern Paris, to help players adapt to the local environment and adjust their conditioning.
During this period, Korean food will be provided to the athletes, and sports science support such as nutritional checks and psychological support will also be provided.
During the Games, approximately 50 portable air conditioners will be operated in the athlete’s village rooms to prevent heat-related illnesses due to extreme heat, and portable fans, ice boxes, and cool towels will also be provided for the athletes to use while on the move.
The Para Team Korea House in downtown Paris is being prepared to serve as a hub for sports diplomacy and to promote Korean disabled sports and culture.
Meanwhile, for the first time, the Paris Paralympics will select the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The MVP, selected through a vote by the Korea Paralympic Committee press corps, will receive a vehicle worth 50 million won as a prize from sponsor Korea Toyota Motor.
[서울=뉴시스]
2024-07-16 13:59:52