"Sorrow Was Greater Than Joy": Bitter Remarks From a Gold Medalist

[Anchor]

Gold medalists who finished their competitions earlier held a post-competition press conference. Enduring the hardships of an "unpopular sport," canoe athletes opened up about their past emotional struggles, saying, "The sorrow was greater than the joy."

Han Sung-hee reports from the scene.

[Reporter]

National team athletes who claimed gold medals with applause and cheers enter the press conference room.

[Choo Ga-eun / 10m Air Pistol Gold Medalist: As for how I feel about winning the medal, it still feels like a dream and I can't quite believe it....]

The smiling-free winning remarks of Cho Kwang-hee, the canoe team's "big brother" who secured two gold medals, soon filled the room with a heavy atmosphere.

[Cho Kwang-hee / Kayak Double and Fours 500m Gold Medalist: (My thoughts on winning) should well up from within, but honestly, I don't feel happy at all. There has been a lot of sorrow, and because of those things, memories of pushing through with sheer grit and determination came to mind, so it leans more toward sorrow than joy....]

The national team candidly shared the poor training conditions of an unpopular sport that they have had to endure.

[Cho Kwang-hee / Kayak Double and Fours 500m Gold Medalist: In situations where all the members needed to gather together and coordinate our breathing, there were countless times when national team call-ups were made and then canceled. Because of that, we had to gather and train together on our own, and remembering those times is why I feel sorrowful....]

Still, expressing gratitude to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee for providing equipment for indoor winter training, which served as the foundation for this gold medal, the canoe athletes hoped for a future where they can climb higher amidst greater support.

[Kim Hyo-bin / Kayak Double and Fours 500m Gold Medalist: If you could listen more closely to the athletes' inquiries and provide support, I think canoe racing could take a step further from where it is now and develop even more.]

Sharp, pointed criticism from a gold medalist whose sorrow outweighed the joy.

For consistent results rather than a momentary "miracle," systematic support is urgently needed over one-time encouragement.

(Camera Reporter: Kim Se-kyung | Video Editing: Park Ji-in)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.