Most Koreans expect top-10 finish in Sochi

Eight out of 10 South Koreans expect their country to enjoy a top-10 finish in medals at the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, a poll showed Wednesday.

Gallup Korea said in its recent survey of 1,007 adults, ages 19 and over, 81 percent responded that they believe South Korea will rank among the top 10 countries in the medal table at the Feb. 7-23 Winter Games in Russia.

South Korea has finished in the top 10 in five of the past six Winter Games, starting with the 1992 edition in Albertville, France.

Only 4 percent said the country wouldn’t crack the top 10 this time, the poll showed.

Gallup Korea also said 30 percent of all respondents said they think South Korea will be inside the top five.

At the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, South Korea won six gold medals and 14 medals overall, both record totals for a Winter Olympics, to finish fifth in the medal table.

South Korea’s stated goal is to win at least four gold medals for a top-seven finish in Sochi.

According to the national poll, 63 percent said they hope to see a gold medal in figure skating, more than any other sport. (Yonhap)