It has been over two weeks since the London Olympics ended, but South Korean medalists from the quadrennial competition haven‘t forgotten about the love and sacrifice of their mothers.
The Korean Olympic Committee and P&G Korea, the local subsidiary of the multinational household goods manufacturer, on Tuesday hosted the “Thank You Mom” event in Seoul, giving athletes a chance to show their gratitude. P&G is the official sponsor of the Olympics, and the local wing is the sponsor of the South Korean Olympic delegation.
Wrestling gold medalist Kim Hyeon-woo and badminton bronze medalist Lee Yong-dae were among four Olympic athletes on hand, joined by their family members. Reading from their hand-written letters, Kim and Lee said their mothers have helped them reach great heights in their athletic careers.
“I wonder where I’d be without my mother,” said Kim, who won gold in the men‘s 66-kilogram Greco-Roman event in London. “When I was fighting injuries and going through slumps, she stood by my side and helped me overcome difficult times. I am glad I was able to return her love at least a little with my gold medal at the Olympics.”
Lee, who teamed up with Chung Jae-sung for bronze in men’s doubles, said he used to take his mother‘s love for granted, and is now trying to change that.
“I am ashamed to say I’ve not been such a good son to my mother,” Lee said. “As I grow up, I try to understand her more, but it‘s not been easy. I’ve become the person that I am today because my mother has shared my joys and grief. I am glad she is my mother.”
Park Young-ho, Kim‘s mother, said she was “proud” of the way her son bounced back from his extended slump two years ago.
“Even then, I never thought about telling him to quit wrestling,” Park said. “I knew he would come out of it eventually, and I am proud of him.”
All mothers received special medals from their children as tokens of their appreciation. Lee Ae-ja, Lee Yong-dae’s mother, said, “I like this medal more than the other medals he‘s won from badminton." (Yonhap News)
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