FONTAINEBLEAU, SOUTH KOREA - South Korea has named high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok and swimmer Kim Seo-yeong as the flag bearers for the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics, set to commence this Friday with a unique opening ceremony on the Seine River.
According to Yonhap News Agency, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, the announcement was made during an open house at the South Korean training camp, located at the National Sports Center for Defense (CNSD) in Fontainebleau, about 60 kilometers south of Paris. The decision to select these two athletes highlights their significant achievements and statuses as top competitors in their respective fields. Lee noted that athletes with competitions scheduled immediately after the opening ceremony were not considered for the flag-bearing roles.
Woo Sang-hyeok, 28, who finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has emerged as a prominent figure in high jumping, securing victories at the 2022 World Indoor Championships and the 2023 Diamond League Final. His participation in the Paris Olympics marks a significant opportunity, with personal bests suggesting he could be a strong contender for the gold medal.
Kim Seo-yeong, 30, will be participating in her fourth consecutive Olympics, specializing in the women's 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley. She holds the national records for both events and expressed excitement about the upcoming unique opening ceremony on the river.
The South Korean delegation at the Paris Olympics will consist of 143 athletes competing across 21 sports, marking it as the nation's smallest delegation since the 1976 Summer Olympics.