Minister YU In Chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) delivered a letter of encouragement to all members of the Korean Olympic Team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, wishing them success and good performance. The inaugural ceremony for Team Korea for the 2024 Paris Olympics was held at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park on July 9 (Tue).

The ceremony, jointly organized by MCST and the Korea Sports and Olympic Committee (KSOC), was attended by distinguished officials, including Prime Minister HAN Duck Soo, Minister YU In Chon, Vice Minister JANG Mi Ran, KSOC President LEE Kee Heung, members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Korean Olympic athletes. The event featured an inspiring speech by the Prime Minister, a response from the athletes’ representatives, the presentation of the Korean athletes’ team flag, and a celebratory performance. The ceremony was broadcast live on three television networks: KBS, MBC, and SBS.

In particular, Minister YU prepared personalized letters of encouragement for each athlete and coach participating in the Paris Olympics and delivered them to fencer GU Bon Gil and badminton player KIM So Yeong after the ceremony. He had also given letters to archers following the National Archery Team’s Second Special Match at Jincheon National Training Center on July 3.

Over 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11. The 33rd Summer Olympics will feature 329 events in 32 sports, and Korea plans to send a total of 262 participants, comprising 144 athletes and 118 coaches, competing across 22 sports.

Minister YU stated, “With only 17 days remaining until the Paris Olympics opening, I’m sure our athletes are feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. I wrote this letter of encouragement, hoping our athletes and coaches will participate in the Paris Olympics with confidence until the end.”

Vice Minister JANG said, “All of our people will unite to cheer for the athletes, drawing inspiration from their performances. I hope they demonstrate their best abilities at the Paris Olympics and return home safely, free from injuries.”