President Yoon hails Olympians’ courage, expresses support at ceremonial event

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday expressed his support and gratitude for Olympic athletes during a ceremonial event, the presidential office said. The president attended the "Heroes of Paris" event hosted by KBS at an outdoor park in Yeouido, western Seoul, without prior notice to the attendees, where he shook hands with the athletes and conveyed his encouragement. "The fighting spirit of our Olympians brought immense joy, courage and confidence to the public," Yoon said. "I often stayed up late to watch the games ... I was on the edge of my seat during the shoot-off of archer Kim Woo-jin," he added, referring to the gold medalist in archery. When asked which sport he would want to win a gold medal in, Yoon responded, "I used to enjoy playing basketball, soccer and baseball, but I think I would have pursued baseball." "If I were to win a gold medal as president, I would want to earn it for stabilizing people's livelihoods and strengthening national security," the presidential office quoted him as saying to his staff. Team Korea won 13 gold medals, nine silvers and 10 bronzes at the Paris Summer Olympics that ended Sunday after a 17-day run. Source:Yonhapi News Agency