S. Korea reaffirms goal for Olympics as athletes enter village

LONDON -- South Korea on Wednesday reaffirmed its goal at the upcoming London Olympics as the athletes entered their village in a boisterous ceremony.

The country has set out to win at least 10 gold medals for its third consecutive top-10 finish in the medal table. South Korea is represented by 245 athletes in 22 sports in London, where the Olympics will kick off Friday. For the ceremony, some 50 athletes in hockey, weightlifting, fencing, shooting and gymnastics were on hand, joined by Olympians from Gabon, Ireland and Russia.

The welcoming event featured choreographed dance moves by performers in colorful outfits as new renditions of hits by the British rock band Queen blared through speakers.

Lee Kee-heung, chief of the South Korean athletic delegation here, said the fun atmosphere of the event should boost the athletes' spirits.

"It was such a unique and enjoyable show, and I think this should help with our athletes' morale," Lee said. "With the Olympics just a couple of days away, they can grow really tightened up, but I think they were able to relax a bit today."

Lee said the athletes have not lost sight of their goal.

"We've come here to win at least 10 gold medals," he said. "And we'll accomplish that no matter what."

Yang Hak-seon, reigning world champion in men's vault in artistic gymnastics and a gold medal favorite here, said he also enjoyed himself at the ceremony. He also said he felt his heart beat faster as the South Korean national flag, taegeukgi, was raised up the pole to the tune of the national anthem.

And as he moves into the athletic quarters, Yang said he's renewed his focus.

"It just hit me today that I am about to compete on such a big stage," said Yang, a 19-year-old in his first Olympics. "I want to put together good performances from the preliminary."

The Olympics start Friday, and South Korea is expected to snatch multiple gold medals right from the start on Saturday, with archery, fencing, shooting and swimming events scheduled.

North Korean athletes entered the village earlier Wednesday, along with those from China, Samoa, Kenya and Suriname. The North Koreans declined to speak to the media before or after the reception in the latest sign of strained inter-Korean ties.

The two Koreas marched in together at opening ceremonies for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, and athletes ate and trained together then. But inter-Korean relations have taken a turn for the worse in the ensuing years, marked by deadly North Korean provocations and missile and nuclear tests.

North Korea has cordoned off its training sessions from the media here. Earlier this week, a North Korean table tennis official threw a towel at a throng of South Korean reporters trying to photograph athletes. (Yonhap News)