Good morning, fellow Koreans,

The midsummer heat wave continues, but the good news reaching us from London makes us forget the heat.

The London Olympics is now in its 10th day today. Even though I have had sleepless nights recently just as many of you have had, watching our Olympians competing in the games helped drive away our fatigue and brought us much happiness.

What else can touch our emotions more than this? I am truly proud of our athletes performing at their best.

In the wee hours of yesterday morning, many of you must have watched the football match between Korea and Great Britain. Our players won the players of Great Britain, where football originated. My heart swelled with pleasure. Our young Korean players were really awesome.

In the penalty shoot-out, our players kicked the ball dauntlessly without being intimidated by some 70,000 spectators. At that moment, the home spectators were drowned out by a Korean cheering squad shouting "Dae~han min guk." As I saw it, Korean footballers were overwhelming in terms of both skill and spirit.

At a luncheon arranged to encourage the heads of the Olympic sports organizations before they left for London, Chung Eui-sun, President of the Korea Archery Association, said “The expectations that victory is a forgone conclusion is the greatest burden to our athletes. Therefore, archery is a battle with oneself.” After watching the games, I could completely understand what he said. I sincerely congratulate our archers on their winning the struggle with themselves.

We are also very proud of two pistol shooters, Jin Jong-oh and Kim Jang-mi. Jin got off to a good start and his victory seemed to help all our athletes perform their best.

In the London Olympics, the Korean fencing team demonstrated new potential transcending their confines as Asian athletes. All members of the team came together tightly and pulled off remarkable results overcoming Shin Ah-lam’s frustrating and painful loss.

It may be the very example of a misfortune turning to our advantage. I want to give a big applause to gold medalist Kim Ji-yeon and all other members of the national fencing squad. 

The Korean women’s handball team performed very well against the Norwegian team and defeated Denmark, the world best team, in the group preliminaries. I am confident that the Korean team will be victorious.

To team Korea, the London Olympics have been riddled with as many regrettable incidents as numerous glorious moments.

Judoka Cho Jun-ho, who was knocked out of the quarters in a judging controversy, bounced back and grabbed the bronze medal, a victory more valuable than winning the gold. Cho said, “I did my best, and the judgment is made by judges. I accept the result.” Frankly speaking, I personally could not accept the judgment.

The following is what his training partner Chang Jin-min had to say:

(Chang Jin-min) “I am well aware of what great efforts he has made in the run-up to the Olympics. Thus, the flip-flop in the judgment might have been all the more heartrending to him. Still, he overcame the situation and did not give up to the last moment. I am very proud of him. ‘You did a really good job. Thank you for your hard work.’”

A big applause should also go to Park Tae-hwan who greatly inspired the Korean people. I served as the president of the Korea Swimming Federation for 16 years and a bureau member of FINA (La Federation Internationale de Natation) for about 10 years, so I naturally came to have special interest in him.

His initial disqualification in the 400-meter preliminary heat must have inflicted great pain on him. I am convinced that if there had not been such a problem during the preliminary, he could have won the competition.

As Park earned a silver medal in the final overcoming such difficulties, that silver medal is even more valuable than a gold. I firmly believe that he will make even greater achievements in the future considering that he is only 22 years old.

The erroneous decisions by some referees impaired the London Olympics, but there are many instances of the athletes’ demonstrating genuine sportsmanship. The world of sports is beautiful and moving.

Even though some disgraceful things happened during some badminton matches, Korean athletes have been displaying fine sportsmanship that even goes beyond the stature of their country.
This truly represents great hope for the nation and serves the national interest very well.

There also are cases in which some athletes failed to realize their dreams despite their best efforts and the perseverance and pain that they have undergone for a long time while training. But the nation will remember their sweat, tears and glorious challenge forever.

Behind the fine athletes are great coaches, sports organizations and families. I offer special thanks to them; they must have felt such anxious tension.

Fellow Koreans,

Although there are many hardships facing us at home and abroad, I get great hope and courage from the Korean athletes at the London Olympics.

Our national team’s passions and challenges will continue. Let us all give enthusiastic encouragement and applause to our athletes, who are burning with great fervor and fighting spirit. I hope the team members will demonstrate the best of their abilities to the end and return home in good health.

Thank you very much.