1 August 2008 - PARK Sung-Hyun (KOR): “I hope every spectator feels the excitement!”

PARK Sung-Hyun (KOR): “I hope every spectator feels the excitement!” July 2008   It was a long road for me to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games. I believe that the Korean selection procedure for the Olympics is more complicated and longer than other countries.  The process started in March 2007 and eight archers were selected last November. Then, we cut down to the four final archers in early April 2008. Finally, at the end of May 2008, the association chose the three starters and the alternate. It was a long and tough path. Korean archers competed at Meteksan Archery World Cup stages as one of the selection procedures. The procedures were applied fairly to all competitors including me, and I had the experience of competing at the last Olympics.  I believe that five other archers, who failed to be selected, would be able to achieve good results at these Olympics if they could have come. I feel very fortunate to have the possibility to defend my Olympic title at the next Games.   As the Olympic Games get closer, I am basically focused on the training schedule, which is specially organized by the Korean Archery Association and the Korean national team for the Olympics.  I am also training individually to make up any deficiency, if I feel that I am not at my top level at any given time.   All the archers will face the same circumstances at the Olympic stadium in Beijing; I do not think the stadium will be an advantage or disadvantage to anyone.  However, I had the experience of the Test Event last year and I saw that the spectators’ stands are very close to the archers for the final matches. I think the archers will have to be ready both technically and psychologically to win their matches in Beijing.   The Athens 2004 Games were my first opportunity to participate in the Olympics and I was pretty tense.  Also, I was really excited about standing in the Panathinaiko Stadium (which was so hot—smiling). Whenever I think back on Athens, I can feel the anxiety of these moments. However, the tension affected me in a good way and I actually concentrated even more on the matches and I achieved good results. Now that I have accumulated many international tournament experiences and know-how, in Beijing I will try to enjoy the tournament itself more.   Archery is a historical and interesting sport. In Korea, the sport of archery is next in popularity after soccer. It is my hope that every spectator—in the stands in Beijing or through the media—would be with the archers and feel the excitement of shooting. Read my biography... Park Sung-Hyun (KOR)