President Park Geun-hye will host a luncheon Thursday for South Korean athletes who participated in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics to express her appreciation for their hard work during the quadrennial event, her office Cheong Wa Dae said.

The gathering at the presidential office will bring together some 310 athletes and sports officials, including Olympic golf champion Park In-bee, gold medalist shooter Jin Jong-oh and rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae.

The list of the participants also includes Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok, Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) President Kang Young-joong and Ryu Seung-min, the new member of the International Olympic Committee.

At the Aug. 5-21 Rio Games, South Korea was represented by 333 athletes and officials in 24 of the 28 sports. It won nine gold, three silver and nine bronze medals to finish in eighth place overall among the 206 countries that competed in Rio. (Yonhap)