S. Korean swimmers fly to Paris with sights set on record medal haul

South Korea has yet to win more than two medals in swimming at any single Olympics. Swimmers set to compete in Paris this summer believe they can top that total. Led by a pair of reigning world champions in Hwang Sun-woo and Kim Woo-min, the national swimming team departed for France on Tuesday. Hwang, the men's 200-meter freestyle world champion, and Kim, who won his first world title in the men's 400m freestyle this year, are regarded as two medal contenders. They will also team up in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay. Members of the South Korean swimming team for the Paris Olympics pose for photos before boarding their flight to France at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on July 16, 2024. (Yonhap) Head coach Lee Jung-hun said the goal is to bring home three medals. "Our athletes have gone through grueling training to reach this point," Lee told reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. "If they can avoid injuries, I think we have a few athletes who can stand on the podium ." Lee has been careful not to publicly state any numerical target for his team, lest that he put extra pressure on them. But he raised three fingers when asked by photographers to indicate how many medals he felt South Korea could win. Park Tae-hwan remains the lone South Korean swimmer with an Olympic medal. In 2008, he won the gold in the men's 400m freestyle and added silver in the 200m freestyle. Four years later, Park won silver medals in both events. Kim could become the first South Korean Olympic swimming champion since Park. The 400m freestyle final is scheduled for July 27, the first day of swimming competition. South Korean swimmer Hwang Sun-woo speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before flying to Paris for the Olympics on July 16, 2024. (Yonhap) "I've read articles that had me finish in third place. It'd be nice just to be on the podium but I'd love to reach the very top," Kim said. "Ever since I started swimming, my dream has always been to win an Olympic gol d." Kim owns the fourth-fastest 400m freestyle time this year at 3:42.42. The three swimmers ahead of him, Lukas Martens of Germany, Elijah Winnington of Australia and Samuel Short of Australia, have all come under 3:42. Kim said he trusts that his hard work will pay off in Paris. "I've grown more confidence because I've endured hard training. I'm really looking forward to the Olympics," he said. "If I do well out of the gate, I can fire up the rest of the Korean delegation. I am so confident I can't wait to jump into the pool." Hwang's 200m freestyle final will come on July 29, where he could have a chance to give South Korea multiple Olympic swimming medalists at a single competition for the first time. Hwang has won each of gold, silver and bronze at the past three world championships in the 200m. He believes the next step in his progression will be an Olympic medal. South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before flying to Paris for the Ol ympics on July 16, 2024. (Yonhap) "The 200m will be a really tight race, and I think the eight finalists will be separated by fingertips." Hwang said. "We've had eight swimmers put up times in the 1:44 range and I can't predict how it will play out in the Olympics. But I'd love to reach the podium." According to World Aquatics, Hwang is tied for the fifth-fastest time in the 200m free this year at 1:44.75. David Popovici of Romania leads the pack at 1:43.13. Martens and the 2023 world champion Matthew Richards are also considered medal threats. Hwang, who won the 2023 Asian Games gold, is no slouch, either. "If I can execute things I've practiced so far, I should produce good results," he said. "I've won medals at the past three world championships and the Asian Games last year. I've been working toward an Olympic medal for the past three years and I am confident." Hwang made his Olympic debut as an 18-year-old in Tokyo three years ago. He reached the finals in both the 100m and 200m freestyle, but his t imes in the heats or the semifinals were better than times in the final. He wasn't as polished as he is now and did a poor job of pacing himself. "I didn't know what I was doing back then," Hwang said. "But I've gained a ton of experience of the past three years and this is my time to let that show." Source: Yonhap News Agency