◆ 2024 Paris Olympics ◆
Modern pentathlete Jeon Woong-tae (left) and high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok. [Photo source = Yonhap News]
Modern pentathlete Jeon Woong-tae (29, Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall), a strong medal candidate, and high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok (28, Yongin City Hall) aim to win a medal together at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The fact that these two athletes, who have become ‘best friends’ while training at the Jincheon Athletes’ Village and often meet whenever possible, have similar aspirations regarding their potential medal colors is also noteworthy.
Woo Sang-hyuk will compete in the men’s high jump finals at the Stade de France in Paris at 2:00 AM on the 11th (7:00 PM on the 10th, local time).
news/cms/202408/09/news-p.v1.20240809.c8d35c351c2b4901a1c28030af5e19e6_R.jpg" data-width="2835" data-height="2014"/> Enlarge the photo Woo Sang-hyuk, who competed in the high jump preliminaries for the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the Stade de France in Paris, France on the 7th (local time), succeeds in his first jump. [Photo source = Yonhap News]
Woo Sang-hyuk narrowly missed out on a medal in Tokyo, finishing fourth, which was the highest finish ever for a Korean track and field athlete at the Olympics.
In particular, Woo Sang-hyuk raised expectations of winning a medal by finishing third in the preliminary round on the 7th, clearing a height of 2.27m.
Jeon Woong-tae will compete in the Laser Run (athletics and shooting), the final event of the men’s individual modern pentathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France, at 2:10 AM on the 11th (7:10 PM on the 10th, local time). The final ranking for the men’s individual modern pentathlon will be determined based on the order in which they cross the finish line in the Laser Run.
Jeon Woong-tae earned a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021, becoming the first Korean athlete to secure a medal in the Olympic modern pentathlon.
![Modern pentathlon athlete Jeon Woong-tae. [Photo source = Yonhap News]](https://wimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202408/09/news-p.v1.20240809.49b83a2dc983424d9473e5b06e5b628e_P1.jpg)
news/cms/202408/09/news-p.v1.20240809.49b83a2dc983424d9473e5b06e5b628e_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="458"/> Enlarge the photo Modern pentathlon athlete Jeon Woong-tae. [Photo source = Yonhap News]
Both athletes arrived in Paris as strong contenders for medals. They first met in 2018 while preparing for the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. Since then, they have developed a friendship that goes beyond sports.
Woo Sang-hyuk stated, “We keep in touch often and meet whenever our schedules allow,” and added, “Before the Paris Olympics, we encouraged each other by saying, ‘Let’s win a medal together and take a commemorative photo.’”
If their wishes come true, Jeon Woong-tae will become the first Korean modern pentathlon athlete to stand on the podium in two consecutive Olympics, and Woo Sang-hyuk will be the first Korean track and field athlete to win an Olympic medal.
To date, only two Korean track and field athletes have won Olympic medals: Hwang Young-jo (gold medal) in Barcelona 1992 and Lee Bong-ju (silver medal) in Atlanta 1996. Both medals were earned in marathon events.
Seo Chae-hyun (Seoul City Hall, North Face), who placed 8th in the semifinals of the women’s combined (bouldering + lead) sport climbing, barely made it to the finals and will climb at Le Bourget Climbing Stadium at 5:15 PM on the 10th in hopes of winning a surprise medal.
Taekwondo athlete Da-Bin Lee (Seoul City Hall) in the women’s 67kg class is competing to win her second consecutive medal, following her silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
‘Legendary B-boy’ Hong-yeol Kim (Hongten, Dobong-gu Office) will deliver a spectacular performance that merges the realms of art and sports at Place de la Concorde.
Breaking was introduced as an Olympic sport at the Paris Games but has been removed from the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
2024 Paris Olympics: Medal Aspirations of South Korean Athletes
Modern pentathlete Jeon Woong-tae (left) and high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok. [사진출처 = 연합뉴스]
Meet the Athletes: Jeon Woong-tae and Woo Sang-hyeok
Modern pentathlete Jeon Woong-tae (29, Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall) and high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok (28, Yongin City Hall) are both strong medal candidates at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their compatibility extends beyond athletics, as they have cultivated a close friendship since meeting at the Jincheon Athletes’ Village.
Event Schedule for Medal Contenders
- Woo Sang-hyuk: Competes in the men’s high jump finals at the Stade de France, Paris, at 2:00 AM KST on July 11 (7:00 PM local time on July 10).
- Jeon Woong-tae: Competes in the Laser Run of the men’s individual modern pentathlon at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, at 2:10 AM KST on July 11 (7:10 PM local time on July 10).
Woo Sang-hyuk, competing in the high jump preliminaries for the 2024 Paris Olympics. [사진출처 = 연합뉴스]
Achievements and Goals
Woo Sang-hyuk’s Olympic Journey
Woo Sang-hyuk narrowly missed out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fourth. This placement marked the highest finish ever for a Korean athlete in Olympic track and field. His recent performance saw him secure a spot in the finals after placing third in the preliminaries with a jump of 2.27m, raising expectations for a potential medal.
Jeon Woong-tae: A Trailblazer in Modern Pentathlon
Jeon Woong-tae made history at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Korean athlete to medal in modern pentathlon with a third-place finish. He is aiming to defend his podium position and become the first Korean modern pentathlete to achieve back-to-back medals.
Modern pentathlon athlete Jeon Woong-tae. [사진출처 = 연합뉴스]
A Strong Friendship Fueled by Competition
Jeon and Woo have not only built their careers but also a friendship that supports their Olympic dreams. They often motivate each other, making plans to share a commemorative photo together, symbolizing their joint aspirations for Olympic glory.
Historical Context of South Korean Olympic Achievements
Revisiting Past Legends
In the history of South Korean track and field, only two athletes have succeeded in clinching Olympic medals:
- Hwang Young-jo: Gold medal in the marathon at Barcelona 1992.
- Lee Bong-ju: Silver medal in the marathon at Atlanta 1996.
If successful, Woo Sang-hyuk will make history as the first Korean track and field Olympic medalist outside the marathon, while Jeon Woong-tae will etch his name in the annals of modern pentathlon history.
Other South Korean Athletes to Watch
Seo Chae-hyun in Sport Climbing
Seo Chae-hyun (Seoul City Hall, North Face) aims for a surprise medal in women’s combined sport climbing after finishing 8th in the semifinals. Her final climbing event will take place at Le Bourget Climbing Stadium on July 10 at 5:15 PM.
Taekwondo Aspirations: Da-Bin Lee
Da-Bin Lee (Seoul City Hall) is set to compete in the women’s 67kg taekwondo category, striving to secure her second consecutive Olympic medal after earning silver in Tokyo.
The Rise of Breaking in Olympic Sports
Hong-yeol Kim, a prominent figure in the breaking scene, will showcase his skills at Place de la Concorde. Breaking was introduced to the Olympics at the Paris Games, though it will not appear in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Final Thoughts on the 2024 Paris Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics is set to be a milestone for South Korean athletes like Jeon Woong-tae and Woo Sang-hyeok, who carry the hopes of a nation aiming for unprecedented achievements in their respective sports. With their dedicated preparations and strong camaraderie, the path to the medal podium remains bright.
